October 2024

October 25, 2024

HOW TO SING A SONG

Written by Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander and Randy Preston, illustrated by Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet

(Quill Tree Books / HarperCollins)

“A joyful ode to the manifold pleasures of musical expression.”

Celebrates the magic of listening to the song that echoes inside you and letting your music ring out…

Hush.
Now, turn up your ears
and listen
to the concert happening
all around you.

“This inspiring ode to the joys of singing is an irresistible invitation to lift up your voice.”

Narrated by Randy Preston

Launched by the NYT bestseller HOW TO READ A BOOK

★ Booklist “mesmerizing”
★ Kirkus “a linguistic and visual feast”
★ SLJ “to be enjoyed morsel by tasty morsel”
★ Bookpage “lovingly rendered”

ALA Notable Book
Best Book of the Year by SLJ, Kirkus, and BCCB
NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children

RANDY PRESTON is an African Native American (Piscataway) composer, author, and performer, raised in the UK, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. He started writing music at the age of seven and never stopped. He taught English literature for eighteen years before collaborating with Kwame Alexander, performing at numerous schools and venues around the world. Preston wrote original songs for a number of picture books and children’s shows and composed the score for (and starred in) the musical “Acoustic Rooster’s Barnyard Boogie, starring Indigo Blume,” which premiered at the Kennedy Center.

The sounds of restoration | Randy Preston | TEDxBoston

UP NEXT!

FIRST DRUM
(PRH/Nancy Paulsen Books)

GIANT RAYS OF HOPE

Written by
Sibert Honor author
Patricia Newman

(Millbrook Press/Lerner)

“Wow middle-grade readers with giant manta rays as they follow the story of how Kerstin Forsberg changed ocean conservation in Peru.Using mantas as her flagship, Kerstin convinced kids, teens, teachers, fishers, and local businesses to become the stars of their own conservation stories. By saving mantas, they save the sea.”
–Patricia Newman

“Newman ably explains the concept of flagship species—animals that ‘grab people’s attention and make them care about protecting the environment.’ Her feel-good account includes photos and quotations from local fishers and young people, as well as plenty of information about the rays themselves. Good news about a marine marvel.”

“…enthralling and informative… A fascinating and important tale of one scientist’s dedication to ocean conservation and community that will inspire many to follow in her footsteps.”

Back matter includes a time line, an author’s note, a note from Forsberg, acknowledgments, glossary, source notes, and selected bibliography.

Sibert Honor author PATRICIA NEWMAN uses social and environmental injustice to empower her readers to seek connections to the real world and to use their imaginations to act on behalf of their communities. Patricia’s nonfiction titles have received multiple starred reviews and ALA Notable Awards, two Orbis Pictus Recommended Awards (NCTE), and two Green Earth Book Awards.

UP NEXT!

WHY WE CELEBRATE HANUKKAH

By Stacia Deutsch, illustrated by Annita Soble

(Callisto Kids)

Published in simultaneous hardcover and paperback editions.

FUN LEARNING: Enjoy discovering all there is to know about Hanukkah with hands-on holiday activities and ideas about the many ways to celebrate.

ALL ENCOMPASSING: Discover the meaning behind Hanukkah and all it entails including folklore, preparation, recipes, crafts and so much more, shown with vibrant and engaging illustrations.

“Stacia captures the historical, spiritual and fun aspects of Hannukah. Her creative writing and engaging style make the holiday come alive. I could smell the potato pancakes… I heard the dreidel spin. Those who celebrate Hannukah will have their knowledge and joy expanded and those who haven’t yet celebrated Hannukah will now make it part of their yearly traditions.”
—Rabbi Richard Steinberg

New York Times bestselling author STACIA DEUTSCH has written more than 300 children’s books, including biographies of Amelia Earhart and Jim Henson…stay tuned for bios of Olivia Rodrigo and Emma Stone, upcoming.

Also Available
from Stacia Deutsch

#13

(10.13; 7 weeks)

and on
Amazon

#26

(10.27)

Amazon
in Children’s Halloween Books

#27

(10.30)

ILLUSTRATOR HIGHLIGHT

Halloween Haunts!

featuring illustrations by Kerstin Stock, Shiho Pate, Heather Brockman Lee, and more!

Spook-tacular October BOO-licious news!

Here’s to “making waves,” Jeanne!

Booklist Online

***STARRED REVIEW***

“Readers will feel as if they have taken the plunge, too… The illustrations…will hook readers, both with the drama of Else’s dives and with the delicious creepiness of some of the sea creatures…”
—Booklist

“[D]azzling and convey[s] how extraordinary undersea life is.
A little-known female artist receives well-deserved attention.”
—Kirkus

@eastwestlit • Instagram photos and videos

In addition, Jeanne’s DRESSING UP THE STARS, illustrated by Diana Toledano,
is a 2025 non-fiction nominee for the Grand Canyon Reader Award:

***STARRED REVIEW***

“The art and storytelling capture [Edith] Head’s belief in the transformative magic of costumes.”
—Booklist

“Film costume designer Edith Head (1897–1981) takes center stage in this celebratory narrative of her path to becoming an Academy Award winner… “—PW

CCBC (Cooperative Children’s Book Center) Best of the Year 2023

CBC (Children’s Book Council) Children’s Favorites Awards 2023

Next up from Jeanne:

Highlighting Diana Toledano, illustrator of DRESSING UP THE STARS:

“Toledano’s mixed-media artwork … fittingly features a range of patterns that draw attention to [Edith’s] professional creativity. Combined with starry-eyed prose, the result is a glamorous life story with a Hollywood ending.” —PW

EW Illustrator Highlight – Diana Toledano

*****

CONGRATS, Shiho Pate

RAMEN FOR EVERYONE has been nominated for a 2025 Sakura Medal!
Students at international schools across Japan will vote for their favorite title by next April.