Children's Lit Newsletter 7/18/2025
AKA Sharon's Book Rx
I READ THIS BOOK AND LOVED IT!!
Cost: Included with Museum admission. Free for Members!
Join local cartoonists to celebrate the release of You and Me on Repeat, the debut graphic novel by Mary Shyne. Hear a reading from Shyne’s rom-com graphic novel about two former friends trapped in a time loop together, repeating their high school graduation day over and over and over, along with works by cartoonist Donna Almendrala (Becoming a Dog Person) and comic writer Sam Sattin (Buzzing and Unico). A book signing will follow.
PICTURE BOOK PALOOZA WAS PHENOMENAL!!! RECORDINGS AVAILABLE FOR 3 MONTHS WITH REGISTRATION
So much great information!!! I'm so glad they recorded everything, because I wanted to hear everyone and it just wasn't possible. You can still register here: https://www.slj.com/event/slj-picture-book-palooza-2025#home in order to have access to the recordings for the next three months. I cannot recommend this highly enough!!!!
Here's a link to the program: https://www.slj.com/event/slj-picture-book-palooza-2025#program
https://vshow.on24.com/vshow/Picture_Books_2025/registration/19360
Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm at Hicklebee's!
Join Hicklebee's for a fun filled afternoon with Jennifer & Matthew Holm at Hicklebee's as they celebrate Sunny #6 - Sunny Figures It Out: A graphic novel!
This event is free for everyone, RSVP your spot athttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/jennifer-holm-matthew-holm-at-hicklebees-tickets-1435710481699?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
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Jennifer L. Holm is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY-bestselling children's author with over 9.8 million books in print. She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and the Scott O'Dell Award for FULL OF BEANS. Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on several graphic novel series including the Babymouse series which has sold over 3.6 million copies and won the Eisner Award, the Sunny series which is a NY Times-bestseller, and finally, the Squish series which was turned into an animated series by Cottonwood Media and aired on HBO MAX. Her latest novel, THE LION OF MARS is a USA TODAY-bestseller. She lives in California with her husband, two children, and three bossy cats named Augustus, Livia, and Calpurnia.
Matthew Holm is the New York Times-bestselling author and illustrator of some 50 books for children. He is the co-creator (with his sister, Jennifer) of a number of graphic novels, including the Eisner Award-winning BABYMOUSE series and the SQUISH series (now an animated show streaming on HBO Max) from Random House Children’s Books and the SUNNY SIDE UP series from Scholastic Graphix. He also co-wrote and illustrated the middle-grade novel MARVIN AND THE MOTHS with Jonathan Follett. He currently lives with his wife and dog in New York's Hudson Valley.
Hicklebee's Bookstore Inc.
1378 Lincoln Ave
San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 292-8880
TWO FABULOUS UPCOMING EVENTS AT MRS. DALLOWAY'S!!!!!
2904 College Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94705
info@mrsdalloways.com
Phone 510.704.8222
TWO OUTSTANDING BOOKS FROM TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS!!!
I got to know Top Shelf Productions when they published Congressman Lewis's graphic memoirs, MARCH BOOKS 1-3 and then posthumously, RUN. I love their books and their sensibilities (they just recently published IT RHYMES WITH TAKEI, which is FABULOUS!)
Here are two more upcoming books that look great!!
AVAILABLE NOW
Coming in September Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators
High energy and huge emotions combine in this thrilling and fast-paced graphic novel about searching for ghosts and making connections. Gabriel Navarro can see ghosts. At least, that’s what he’s always believed, until his beloved tía dies and he can’t seem to reach her. Feeling alone and lost, he stumbles into an mysterious encounter on a school field trip and suddenly finds himself the new best friend and business-partner of his eccentric classmate Clementine. Together, they're Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators — Rustin Middle School’s first ghost-hunting organization! Graphic novelist KT Healey makes a stunning debut with a rip-roaring ghost-hunting adventure packed with color, charm, zany antics, and tender feelings. Psychic Investigators, Evil Exterminators by KT Healey
$14.99 (US) | ISBN 978-1-60309-564-8
208 pages | 6” x 9”
Full-color softcover graphic novel
Upcoming Webinar: Building Foundational Literacy Skills in Early Childhood with Contemporary Indigenous & Native American Content
SHOP YOUR LOCAL INDIE BOOKSTORE!!! AND YES THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER - BUT ALWAYS SUPPORT YOUR INDIE! NOTE, THEY USED BEZOS' WEDDING INVITE AS THE TEMPLATE
I love this campaign from www.bookshop.org !! Remember, you can also purchase audio books from Libro.fm via your local independent bookstore. SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES NOT BILLIONAIRES!!
AND YOU CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ACCESS BOOKS BAY AREA AND ANOTHER FANTASTIC INDIE, LINDEN TREE BOOKS
We are excited to announce that we are partnering again this summer with Linden Tree Books on our very own book drive to run July 1-31. Linden Tree Books is a family-owned bookstore that specializes in connecting readers of all ages to the magic of books. Join us and Linden Tree in helping spread the magic by donating books to children living in underfunded communities in the Bay Area.
We’ve made it easy to participate! At Linden Tree, there will be a blue mailbox in the front of the check-out counter for your donations. Choose from a display of pre-selected books, pick your own book, or choose a gift card to purchase. Once you have made your purchase, place your donation in the mailbox. Not only will buying your books at Linden Tree help support a local small business, your gift will be used in our upcoming library refurbishment project. We also welcome gift card donations purchased online! Select a gift card amount, choose “In-Store Pickup” under Delivery Options, and write "Access Books Bay Area" in the Notes Box. All donations are incredibly appreciated.
Don’t forget to spread the word, and if you make a donation, please post on social media tagging @accessbooksbayarea and @lindentreereads.
BOOK TALKS (for adults or kids), CURRICULUM CONSULTING (finding books that fit), etc.
Hey all!!
Recently I have given Book Talks to students and parents that can focus on Engaging Reluctant Readers, Diversify Your (home or school) Bookshelves, and Great and Engaging Books (for various ages/grades). They've been well received and participants leave with TONS of information (and quite a few win prizes). I do these in schools or libraries, but would love to be hired by companies as a 'Perk' for their employees who have children in their lives. So, using my 'Social Capital' (that's you all) to spread the word.
I also work with teachers to help find great books that fit (and expand) the curriculum (otherwise known as my idea of a good time).
Please feel free to spread the word and send people my way: sharonlevin @ mindspring.com
We now return to our regular programming.
NOTE TO AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS, BOOKSTORES HAVING EVENTS!!
I try (when I have time/energy/spoons) to visit store websites and pull event information. However, the best way to get your events in is to e-mail me directly with FOR THE NEWSLETTER as the subject line. There are over 2000 subscribers to this newsletter - plus it gets posted on Facebook, Twitter (I said what I said), BlueSky and my local NextDoor. I am happy to spread the word, it's just easier if 'the word' (not the religious one) comes directly to my inbox
I'm only as good as my sources, so please do feel free to share events, good news, etc.! Please e-mail me at sharonlevin at mindspring dot com and put For the Newsletter as your subject line.
I'm always happy to feature giveaways. There is NO paid advertising in this newsletter - I do not require anything to feature a giveaway. I'm just happy to do it.