May 2019

May 25, 2019
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Happy Book

Birthday

to

SHIPWRECKERS
The Curse of the
CURSED TEMPLE of CURSES or —
We Nearly Died — A Lot

MG Debut 
 

A summer popcorn movie in book form,
a rollicking action/comedy for kids …  

  

Primetime Emmy & Annie Award Nominated Writers


Joshua Pruett

and
Scott Peterson

(Illus. Brian Ajhar /
Disney/ Hyperion)

An adventure up the Amazon, full of booby-trapped ruins, strange creatures, and ancient evil, piloted by an idiot who
won’t stop making puns and jokes, 
as seen through the eyes of his (more than) capable sidekicks.


Children's Boats and Ships Books


"A pulpy, screwball novel…
A journey spiked with absurdity…
Fans of swashbuckling adventures will
find much to enjoy."
Kirkus Reviews

"An out-of-control ROLLER COASTER of fun, filled with hilarious characters and real heart. Peterson and Pruett have
made magic here."
Dan Povenmire
and Jeff "Swampy" Marsh,

cocreators of Disney's 
Phineas and Ferb

"Readers who like over-the-top adventure tales will enjoy the numerous unbelievable situations the characters find themselves in… The captain's lame jokes and puns will appeal to the tween crowd, as will the Indiana Jones-style adventures."
School Library Connection


WEIRD AL PROMOTES SHIPWRECKERS!
Click image above to see…

"Funny, warm, and weird, Shipwreckers is full of wildly inventive adventure!
Peterson and Pruett really deliver the goods. I hate them a little."

Max Brallier, author of the NYT and 
USA Today best-selling series
The Last Kids on Earth


Click image above for a selection from their
10 Blog Tour. 


Click to listen to Joshua and Scott talk about co-creating their first original book.

Upcoming:  For HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON fans, stay tuned for the special Dreamworks pop-up book that covers the whole trilogy,
ADVENTURES WITH DRAGONS,
due out on June 4th.
  

Fun Facts: MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 is Joshua’s favorite show of all time. DOCTOR WHO is his favorite show of all TIME AND SPACE.



 

Happy Book

Birthday

  PINKY GOT OUT!
Debut
picture book 

launching the PINKY series,

two subversively funny books that make reader participation irresistible…


by 
Michael Portis 

(Illus. Lori Richmond / 
Crown BFYR)

Fans of Tad Hills and Jory John will love this hilarious picture book about Pinky, a flamingo at the zoo who sneakily slips out to join a group of kids on their zoo field trip!

In “a game of spot-the-flamingoPortis moves the lighthearted story along while deftly incorporating facts about different animal species."
— PW

Young readers will enjoy trying to find Pinky on every spread and will be curious to discover whether he can actually fly the coop!

Michael Portis is an art director and children’s book app designer. He lives in Los Angeles, and received his MFA in art at UCLA.

Look soon for
PINKY CRASHES THE PARTY!


Happy Book

Birthday

  ISABELLA
ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

Just how inspired can a little girl be?


by
NYT Bestselling author

Jennifer Fosberry

(Illus. Mike Litwin /
Sourcebooks / Jabberwocky )

The plucky, purple-haired Isabella, star of the New York Times bestselling picture book series, is back and her imagination is turning her life into a wondrous work of art!

When Isabella has a day off from school, her parents suggest going somewhere special. Isabella knows that home is special, but she humors them anyway and begins to imagine places they could go, turning to some of history's most famous artists for inspiration. Perhaps they could go to The Boating Party, see Dancers In Blue, or admire The Starry Night.


But can Isabella paint pictures inspiring enough to show her parents that home is actually the most wondrous place of all?


Jennifer and ISABELLA in Texas: book tour Extraordinaire! 

"Likely to spur creativity
among budding artists."
 – Booklist


Six city Book Tour Extraordinaire
continued in Philly. 

"With a spunky female heroine as the star, it's no wonder Fosberry's "Isabella" series is so popular…
a boisterous girl-power book
for the ages." – 
Lee Littlewood, Creators Syndicate



The sixth book in the NYT bestselling ISABELLA books launched by
MY NAME IS NOT ISABELLA

As featured in

Noteworthy Picture Book Sequels:
May 2019


 


CONGRATS 


DON'T LET THEM DISAPPEAR

Illus. by 
NYT Bestselling

Gianna Marino

Written by  
Chelsea Clinton
(Philomel)


#6 
for the fourth week
(5.12.19)
on the
NYT Best Seller List


Featured in Brightly's
Best Children's and YA Books.


along with 
ANIMALICIOUS
Anna Dewdney & Reed Duncan

Illus. Claudia Boldt
(Penguin Workshop)

For its sixth week on sale (published May 15th), Don’t Let Them Disappear is on the national Indie bestseller list. 

Chelsea Clinton and Gianna Marino at a recent Hicklebee's event as they read and discussed DON'T LET THEM DISAPPEAR and Gianna's new picture book, JUST LIKE MY BROTHER.



CONGRATS
to 

#1 NYT Best Selling 

PETE THE CAT
BIG EASTER ADVENTURE

Kimberly and James Dean
16 weeks 

The week of 5.5.19 has
TWO E/W titles on the

NYT Bestseller List
–marking East/West's
229th week 

along with 
DON'T LET THEM DISAPPEAR

Clinton/Marino 
Philomel

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


Happy Book

PETE THE CAT 
and the
ITSY BITSY SPIDER

by
NYT Best Sellling Creator
James Dean 

(Harper Collins) 

Happy Book

Birthday

TITAN AND
THE WILD BOARS:
The True Cave Rescue of the Thai Soccer Team

Illus. by 
Dow Phumiruk 

A nonfiction picture book that tells, in both prose and poetry, the gravity of the boys’ situation, the global nature of the rescue efforts, and highlights what teamwork and the kindness of strangers can accomplish in a time of need.

(Susan Hood, Pathana Sornhiran
/ Harper Collins)


JLG selection


Click image to view trailer

Dow and her co-authors finished Mr. Schu's sentences on 
WATCH.CONNECT.READ:

Dow: Recreating the landscape and mood, trying to capture so many people accurately, and conveying the magnitude of the caves and rescue operation were all quite a challenge. That said, I loved drawing Thai people, many of whom reminded me of my own family members as I took note of facial features and complexion.

Coach Ek told the boys to drink water dripping down from stalactites rather than the dirtier water below. He modeled prayer and meditation to save energy and remain calm, drawing on his previous experience as an apprentice to Buddhist monks. And most of all, he assured the boys that help would come, that people were searching for them. He gave them hope.

These boys are different ages, from different schools and backgrounds, but they all stayed together, listened to each other, and cared for one another.

In these divisive times, these boys inspired remarkable international cooperation. More than twenty countries put aside their differences, shared resources and expertise, and worked as a team to rescue them.


Children's Historical Biographies

Dow Phumiruk was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and came to the United States with her family when she was very young. Her mother was a nurse, and her father, a retired Royal Thai Air Force captain. He worked for Thai Airways for many years, which allowed her family many trips back to Thailand when she was younger.


“A powerful story of bravery and hope and perseverance and teamwork … brought to life by Dow Phumiruk’s beautiful illustrations … will capture and engage young readers and stay with them for a long time.”
–KID LIT FRENZY

Susan Hood and Pathana Sorhiran share with young readers the 18-day rescue through the use of facts, free verse, the letters of the boys to family members, and quotes …

Dow:  This universal story with its universal themes will bring kids an awareness of children who are much like themselves, despite being on the other side of the world. 

Titan and his friends love soccer, adventure, and their families.   I can imagine they are just like kids I know and love.  [This] story of heartening global effort … is a reminder of our shared humanity.


…[TITAN] clearly communicates the emotions in not only the boys, but the divers and all who were involved in the rescue … This book gives us the human side, the emotional side, that gives us even more understanding …

[It] shows how courage and teamwork combined with kindness and cooperation really can work miracles!
Mrs. Knott's BookNook

Includes extensive back matter including additional resources, maps, a timeline, fascinating facts, and an interview with Chris Jewell and Jason Mallinson, two of the best cave divers in the world, who personally swam the boys to safety.


Thanks Nancy Inteli (r)
and Megan Ilnitzki



Happy Book

Birthday

to

  WHEN PENCIL MET ERASER

Debut picture book, the first of two … a creative adventure that shows all of us how to try new things, see the sky through the trees, and build a lasting friendship.


by
 Karen Kilpatrick
and Luis O. Ramos, Jr.

Illus. Germán Blanco
 
(Imprint / Macmillan)

Ever wonder why there’s a little pink eraser on every pencil? 
Find out in this funny, clever picture book that tells the true story of how Pencil and Eraser became the best of friends.

When Pencil draws on the pages of this book, Eraser erases parts of Pencil’s work, and the book itself becomes a canvas for their different takes on creativity―until the two discover their artwork is even better when they work together. Engaging art, adorable characters, and a clever ending create a memorable message about friendship and creativity.

"An imaginative and engaging look into artistic possibility."
Kirkus

A silly, relatable story about friendship and the importance of collaboration. Readers young and old alike will love this imagining of the dynamic duo that is Pencil and Eraser…every page provides delightful stimulation … fun and enjoyable.
SLJ

"Blanco’s additive and subtractive scene manipulations carry the story… [WHEN PENCIL MET ERASER] will serve both kids experimenting with composition, texture, and color, and primary-grade audiences discovering the pleasure of collaboration."
–BCCB

Stay tuned for Book #2: 
WHEN PENCIL MET THE MARKERS!



 



 

Happy Book

Birthday

LOOK WHAT I SEE

 a clever and silly new board book
from Little Simon
by

the Bestselling Creators 
of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Judi and Ron Barrett


Children's Size and Shapes Books 

A study on perspective, each page asks readers what they might see in different situations—like with your eyes half shut, or upside down, or riding on a bumpy road, or looking through a magnifying glass—followed by a brilliantly illustrated answer.

An Amazon
Best Book of the Month
Baby-Age 2

The up-close and personal point of view is sure to have readers giggling and trying out each position to see how their world looks from a new perspective.


Editors Picks for May

 along with

Anna Dewdney's 
LLAMA LLAMA YUM YUM YUM!

 


Happy Book

Birthday

MITZVAH PIZZA

by 
Sarah Scheerger

(Illus. Deborah Melmon/
Kar-Ben Publishing)


Children's Jewish Fiction Books 


Selected for an Author Incentive Award by PJ Library:
Filled with colorful artwork and warmth, MITZVAH PIZZA addresses economic disparity with empathy and sensitivity, while instilling important lessons in the power of mitzvot …

Based on a true story of a pizza shop in Philadelphia (described in the back matter), this story explores the true meaning of tzedakah—giving to others while not making them feel as if they've been helped.

"This book may bring a surge of business to the Philadelphia pizzeria that inspired it. The walls of the Pizza Corner are covered with sticky notes, and at first Missy can't figure out why…

It's difficult not to be touched by the story…Warm and affecting."
Kirkus

Selected by the 

“… MITZVAH PIZZA puts a new twist on a familiar concept … Although this book clearly teaches a lesson about giving and tzedakah, it is not at all preachy.  A natural progression of events leads this young girl, and the reader, to learn the value of helping others.” —JBC

Perfect for Father's Day
–or any day of the year: 

A heartwarming story about fathers and daughters, fast friendships, and a young girl realizing her own agency to do a mitzvah (literally a “commandment” and often used to describe a good deed).

SAVE THE DATE:
 
 Sarah Scheerger
will sign her MG debut,
OPERATION FROG EFFECT 

and MITZVAH PIZZA 

at
Barnes & Noble
Thousand Oaks CA
June 1st, 11:30-1:30


Luciana Navarro Powell


Congrats David Butler
WITCHY WINTER

receives
The Whitney Award


Acquisitions & Licensing

Sarah Packenham’s new Scallywag Press has licensed UK rights to Antoinette Portis’ HEY WATER.

Andersen Press has licensed UK & Commonwealth rights to the graphic edition of Kwame Alexander’s Newbery award-winning CROSSOVER.

Beijing Baby-Cube has licensed Simplified Chinese rights to
Anna Dewdney’s
LLAMA LLAMA AND ME.

Happy Book

Birthday

to 
 

THE STONEWALL RIOTS:
Coming Out
in the Streets

An illustrated MG non-fiction title that helps readers to understand the history and legacy of the LGBTQ+ movement …


by

Stonewall award-winning

Gayle E. Pitman

Foreword by Fred Sargeant

(Harry N. Abrams)

"Pitman’s fresh storytelling brings emotion and depth to the history of a movement and the establishment that served as an epicenter for social change."
PW

"The narrative is presented through a series of "objects": photographs of places, people, or items, such as a police officer's nightstick, a parking meter, a matchbook, or a protest leaflet. Though each object only reveals a small part of the story, together they reveal a powerful picture and offer rich historical context
. . . [An] inviting, engaging, and well-researched approach to history."
Booklist

"In brief chapters themed around objects and places associated with the run-up, aftermath, and three days of rioting, readers get a credible reconstruction of events and the context with which to frame it."
BCCB

Middle Grade 2019 Growth Spurts

For this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, Howard Reeves says, “It’s important for young readers to understand that a lot happened in the Gay Revolution—made possible by some very brave and persistent women and men—to get us where we are today …

Histories allow people to learn about their own communities, and, just as important, they help people outside one community to understand and appreciate another. I learned a lot editing the book, and I hope it will open the doors of pride, enlightenment, and compassion to both those in the LGBTQ community and those who are not.” —PW

A substantive look at a key moment in the history of the
LGBTQIAP-equality movement …
a user-friendly look at a watershed event and its context. 
KIRKUS

An 1843–2016 timeline, with daily detail for the Stonewall riot itself, covers events in the text and serves as an outline of gay rights activism in the United States; source citations, bibliography, and index are also included. 


Pitman's WHEN YOU LOOK OUT THE WINDOW
features two mighty girls: 
Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin
 

True Colors: LGBTQ Books
Starring Mighty Girls for Kids,
Teens, & Parents


Happy Book

Birthday

JACOB'S ROOM TO CHOOSE

The star of JACOB’S NEW DRESS (Albert Whitman) is back and opening doors for gender nonconforming kids …

by
Sarah & Ian Hoffman

(Illus. Chris Case/
Magination Press)

“Their teacher's lesson shows that there are more than two ways to dress—not all boys wear short hair, and not all girls wear long hair or dresses.”
Kirkus

“So many, many people need to read this book. Kids adults, politicians, administrators—there is not one person
in this world that doesn’t need to digest and ponder the lesson of this sweet, simple, and very necessary (unfortunately) book.”

—Kiss the Book

"Like the first book about Jacob, the message is about acceptance. Simple lyrical writing introduces the setting and the characters from the opening lines: 'The carpet was warm. The bunnies were funny. Jacob and Sophie loved library time.' And the message is vital, especially for this young age group. The Hoffman’s book comes from their hearts." 
—Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center


Ian at Turn-The-Page,
Children's Fairyland, Oakland CA

“Kids need the tools to understand gender nonconforming peers.  With books like this, minds open, perspectives blossom and everyone has more choices.  Sophie and Jacob’s teacher is paying attention and sees an opportunity to create a more inclusive classroom and school where everyone’s differences are celebrated.  A progressive book that is forward thinking and acting to solve problems with new solutions.”
— Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Librarian 
@WanderingBookseller


Click above image to listen to Sarah & Ian talk about their new book on
PW KidsCast. 

Why the buzz: “I am hoping we can change some minds and open some (bathroom) doors for gender nonconforming kids and let them know
we got their back!" 
– Kristine Enderle,
Editorial Director, Magination Press
Winter Institute 14


ALA 19 with Magination Press:Kristine Enderle,
Deborah Warren, Ian, and
Marketing Director Jason Wells.

Next stops: 
BEA and Book Con; ALA Annual; ILA

 


Happy Book

Birthday

ONE TRUE WAY

Historical LGBT MG novel


by 
Shannon Hitchcock

(Scholastic)

NOW
in paperback! 


"Allie's levelheaded narration is refreshingly nuanced. Hitchcock unflinchingly characterizes the emotional struggles of being young and lesbian….

Throughout, Allie asks 'hard questions' about whether homosexuality is right in the eyes of the Bible or her community. Ultimately and affirmingly, her adult role models encourage her to be true to herself. A compelling and honest addition to the few existing stories about gay middle schoolers."
— Kirkus STARRED REVIEW


 

 "Shannon Hitchcock's important story shines a bright light on the struggles that LGBT kids had to deal with in the mid-1970s, giving us a context with
which to understand more fully the same struggles that are happening today.

In straightforward prose, this honest look shows us how far we've come, and at the same time doesn't deny how far we have to go."
— Kathi Appelt,
National Book Award Finalist and Newbery Honor-winning author of The Underneath


Most recently featured in 
8 Awesome Queer Books for the Youth and Teens in your Life:

"Two seventh grade girls become fast friends. Then, they realize that the crush they have on the other is mutual. It’s a tough time and place to be queer, and both girls struggle with what it means to be different and true to themselves. Hitchcock’s writing is accessible and simple, and the tone of the overall story arc is hopeful. I especially appreciate the nuanced portrayal of an adult lesbian couple and how Hitchcock dealt carefully with the Christian church’s homophobia."


Hitchcock's
RUBY LEE AND ME
(Scholastic)

is listed in 
 

Honoring Educators: 
20 Books About Mighty Girls & Their Teachers

Where's East West?

Above photo: NYC — L to R
Dow Phumiruk, Patti Newman,
DW, Phil Alexander,
Michael Portis, Michael Ng.


Jeanne Walker Harvey at
Turn-the-Page, Children's Fairyland, Oakland CA


Erin Dealey and friends at a
SoCal Authors Fair where
EVERY student wrote a book!

Next stop: SDSU Kidlit Festival 6/19

Coming SOON:

6/1

WHEN PENCIL MET ERASER
book launch


6/30
Jim Averbeck is speaking & signing at
Blue Marble Books
in Ft Thomas, Kentucky.


PW Deal Announcements 


 


Illustrator Highlight 

  

Chris Gorman
 is featured in our May issue of East/West's 
Illustrator Highlight.
 
 


MAY the GOOD News Be With You

   
Congratulations Dow Phumiruk and COUNTING ON KATHERINE
(Helaine Becker/ 
Christy Ottaviano Books ~ Henry Holt ~ Macmillan) winner of the Cook Prize
honoring the best science, technology, engineering and math
(STEM) picture book for children aged eight to ten–the only
national children’s choice award honoring a STEM book.

Announced by the Bank Street College of Education.


Team COUNTING ON KATHERINE:
L to R with Deborah Warren,
Christy Ottaviano, Dow Phumiruk,
Helaine Becker, Susan Schulman


As featured in PW Children's Bookshelf:

Honoring Excellence at Bank Street: The 2019 Cook Prize and Irma S. and James H. Black Awards

COUNTING ON KATHERINE is also on the ILA Teachers' Choice Reading List.

    
Lovely list–cheers for Mehrdokht Amini and all:
"13 Recommended
#OwnVoices Reads for Ramadan"
via The Conscious Kid


Kwame Alexander's BOOKED is one of

All the Children’s Books in the Amazon Top 100

# 49

Anna Dewdney's
LLAMA LLAMA EASTER EGG

And guess what?

Bay Area Children's Theatre Launches
Musical Starring Everybody's Favorite Llama Llama

(photo via Broadway World News Desk)
Speaking of Llamas…

Reviews:

LLAMA LLAMA MESS MESS MESS 
(Viking/ June 2019)
"Helpful hints for youngsters are slipped inside: Every toy should have a place, and when making your bed, don't forget to look underneath. This second collaboration between Duncan and Morrow since Dewdney's passing…[has] snappy rhythms and a twinkle in Mama's eye. Returning to Llama Llama and Mama's relationship feels like home.Cooperation makes cleaning go much faster—particularly with friendly, rhyming llamas to show the way. "
–Kirkus

  
Great interview with Mark Vieira featured by Turner Classic  Movies
 


Where's East/West?
 

Ruth Harper and THE KISSING HAND
featured in PW.

"Chapters Books & Gifts in Seward, Neb., welcomed illustrator Ruth Harper, who read her picture book, The Kissing Hand, and her newest book, Otters, Snails and Tadpole Tails, a collection of poems by Eric Ode."

   
SOLO and SWING, co-written by Mary Rand Hess were included in Epic Reads' 
21 Breathtaking Books That Prove Poetry is For Everyone.”

  
ROSIE THE DRAGON AND CHARLIE MAKE WAVES, debut picture book by Lauren Kerstein
(illus. Nate Wragg, Two Lions, June) blog tour begins this month:
5/20 JensBookVibes / Instagram
5/21 thechildrensbookreview.com
5/22 dreamreaderkids & batchofbooks / Instagram
5/23 stylishmodernmotherhood / Instagram
5/24 thisfrugalfamily / Instagram
5/27 kristisbooknook.blogspot.com 
5/28 wordspelunking.blogspot.com 
5/29 beaglesandbooks.com
5/30 babiestobookworms.com
5/31 mrsmommysbooknerd.blogspot.com 
 

And check out the GoodReads Giveaway here. 


  

"Overheard"  at @EastWestLit on Twitter:

Kokila Books Launch party, 
Namrata Tripathi, Publisher 


Joshua Pruett's book launch was full of TREASURES. 

 
Thankful for all the moms in our lives.

*CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL*

We are thrilled and thankful to represent such amazing talent.


Artwork by Danielle Arbour