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THE CITY OF JASMINE
by Nadine Presley
Illustrated by HEATHER BROCKMAN LEE
(Harper/HarperCollins)
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A love letter to Damascus and Syrian culture … the food, architecture, and close-knit sense of community.
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“Lee’s use of cut paper gives the visuals a three-dimensional look, making the child’s recollections feel intensely vivid; her delicate illustrations pay homage to Syrian mosaics and patterns, capturing a sense of time, memory, and movement.” — STARRED Kirkus
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Q Nadine: What surprises did Heather bring to your story?
Nadine Presley: Heather brings a warmth and depth to The City of Jasmine that I never could have imagined. Her illustrations capture the spirit of Damascus so beautifully, filling each page with authenticity and emotion.
What surprises me most is how she brings the streets of Damascus to life in her artwork, making me feel like I’m walking through the city myself—even though she’s never been there. Her ability to capture Syria’s beauty is truly magical. It feels like she taps into the heart of the story and brings it to life with so much respect and love. I also am in awe of Heather’s incredible mosaic and tile work through out the book.
Q What do you hope readers will take away from reading this book?
Heather Brockman Lee: The beauty, rich culture and history of Damascus, and also our shared humanity no matter where we are from.
Nadine Presley: I hope readers will walk away with a deeper appreciation for the beauty, resilience, and love that exists in places like Damascus, beyond the images they may have seen in the media. I hope readers connect with the universal themes of home, belonging, and the power of memory—how our memories shape who we are and the ways they continue to live on, even in the face of adversity. Ultimately,
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LITTLE TROUBLEMAKER DEFENDS HER NAME
by the NYT bestselling collaborators
Luvvie Ajayi Jones
and JOEY SPIOTTO
(Penguin/Philomel)
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“Thoughtful guidance for youngsters processing big emotions.” —Kirkus
Book #2 in the “Little Troublemaker” PB trilogy launched by:
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Written by the NYT bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones, with bright, bold art by Joey Spiotto, this funny, sweet story is dedicated to all the kids whose names might feel too different. As Little Luvvie learns to speak up for herself with confidence and compassion, it reminds us that our names are worth getting right and celebrating.
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“You need this book if:
You’re raising little ones who need to learn about self-advocacy, kindness, and the power of their voice. Perfect for children who are navigating new social situations, dealing with bullying, or learning how to stand up for themselves while staying true to who they are.”
–Luvvie Ajayi Jones
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THE GLASS PYRAMID
by JEANNE WALKER HARVEY
Illustrated by Khoa Le
(Atheneum / S&S)
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Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this month… and every month!
In this “stunning” (Booklist, starred review) PB, award-winning picture book biographer Jeanne Walker Harvey tells the story of the renowned architect I. M. Pei and his triumph in redesigning the Louvre through problem-solving and persistence.
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“The narrative is both lyrical and economical, every word carefully chosen.” – SLJ
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★ – Booklist STARRED REVIEW
★ “In spare, rhythmic prose and digital illustrations that combine architectural elements with vector-like precision, Walker Harvey and Le weave together Pei’s biography and the pyramid’s creation story.” – PW STARRED REVIEW
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An inspiring lesson in creative problem-solving, cultural appreciation, and persistence in adversity …
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How did you research the cultural tensions and resistance Pei faced during this project, and what went into your thought process about presenting these complex issues to young readers?
JWH: I thought it was very important for children to understand that even a highly regarded person, an architect who had already designed many projects, can face challenges.
Khoa Le’s amazing illustrations are instrumental in presenting these issues to young readers. For example, her illustration of French citizens exclaiming, “An atrocity!” “A Grand Monster” etc. conveys this distrust of Pei. Also, the way Khoa chose to draw Pei standing apart from the other college students allows the reader to also feel like an outsider. Children will immediately understand Pei sometimes struggled as an immigrant from China. I think such visual images enable children to readily understand the resistance and discrimination he faced.
What do you hope young readers take away from this story about approaching situations where they might feel like outsiders?
JWH: I hope children will believe in themselves and understand that being different means they have something unique to offer to others. I hope they see how Pei sought the support and connection of others by patiently explaining what he hoped to achieve. He was also known to be a good listener, so I think asking questions and listening to what others want to share can also be helpful in such a situation. As Pei said, “My experience at the Louvre was unbelievable, perhaps the most important educational experience.”
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John Schu, you should have asked me about the delight of working with Kristie Choi, my editor at Atheneum Books. Kristie struck that perfect balance of both encouraging me, but also nudging me forward with suggestions about pacing, wording, and big picture concepts. And she had the wonderful idea of creating a throughline about pyramids being structures where other cultures place hidden, important treasures, and museums being a place filled with treasures that kids can discover. — JWH
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Also a featured book trailer in:
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Jeanne Walker Harvey studied literature and psychology at Stanford University and has worn many hats, ranging from being a roller coaster ride operator to an attorney, a middle school language arts teacher, and a long-time docent for school groups at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She is the award-winning author of several books for young readers, including the picture book biographies above. Learn more about her at her website or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, or BlueSky.
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BLACK BOY, RISE
Narrated by Author
BRYNNE BARNES
Audible Audiobook
(Recorded Books)
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Narrated by Author BRYNNE BARNES
Audible Audiobook (Recorded Books)
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East West Literary Agency BESTSELLERS
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E/W held FIVE slots for TWO weeks
E/W “batted 400” with FOUR slots for ELEVEN Weeks
E/W held the #1 slot for TWENTY-THREE weeks
E/W held THREE slots for THIRTY-TWO weeks
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East West Literary Agency NEWS
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Based on the award-winning book series by the NYT bestselling and acclaimed creator Antoinette Portis, “Not a Box” encourages young audiences to tap into their creativity and embrace the power of imagination …
GO BUNNY!!
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CONGRATS to Janet Nolan on her Midland Authors’ Honorable Mention for BATS BENEATH THE BRIDGE – also an Illinois Reads title:
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Produced by Lilly Heavenrich
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“With big laughs, big heart, and big monsters, GYRO AND THE ARGONAUTS is timeless fun for everyone!” – Max Brallier, author of the #1 NYT bestselling series The Last Kids on Earth
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Where Is East West Anchor
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”Combining a centuries-old practice with the story about a Palestinian family and their relationship to the land make HILWA’S GIFTS an absolute treasure.” —Booklist (starred review)
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Photo: Safa Suleiman (r) with Dow Phumiruk
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*CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL*
We are thrilled and thankful to represent such amazing talent.
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