Children's Lit Newsletter 4/15/26
AKA Sharon's Book Rx
THERE ARE NO NEWSLETTERS FOR THE MONTH OF MAY! PLEASE SEND ALL INFO BEFORE 4/27
JON KLASSEN WINS THE ASTRID LINDGREN MEMORIAL AWARD!!
MANY CONGRATULATIONS AND SO WELL DESERVED!!! THE TEXT BELOW IS FROM THE LOOKING AT PICTURE BOOKS NEWSLETTER:
The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is one of the highest honors in children’s literature — and thus, of course, one of the highest honors in literature, period. The prize is administered by the Swedish Arts Council and juried by twelve experts in children’s literature. Next month, H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden will officially present Jon with the award at the Concert Hall in Stockholm.
Created in honor of the great children’s writer Astrid Lindgren, the honor recognizes “those who continue to work in her spirit: with imagination, bravery, respect and empathy, and maintaining the highest level of artistic excellence.”
Here’s what the jury had to say about Jon:
Klassen's body of work forms a subtle, astute, and humorous investigation into existential questions, where feelings of anticipation, suspense, and shock play a central role.
Through his subtle and evocative storytelling in words and pictures, Jon Klassen opens new perspectives on our place in the universe. What happens when a rock falls from the sky, when hats disappear or a skull begins living a life of its own? With precision, emotion and inventive wit, life’s challenges of uncertainty and hopefulness are portrayed in an interplay of colour and form. Jon Klassen’s brilliant tales stand out for their effortless elegance and ambiguous depth, where the reader becomes a co-creator.
We’re very proud of Jon here at Looking At Picture Books and can’t wait to celebrate with him. Preferably in Sweden.
You can read more of the jury’s thoughts about Jon online, and, even better, listen to Jon’s reaction when he got the big phone call from the jury. He ran from school drop-off to a quiet spot to answer a mysterious number from Sweden, so he’s breathless before he even learns he’s the 2026 laureate. Beautiful.
Congratulations, Jon <3
Join us for a special hour with Pam Muñoz Ryan, the author of some of the most memorable books for kids and teens. Her stories, including Esperanza Rising, Echo, Riding Freedom, and Becoming Naomi León, have reached millions of readers and won major awards like the Newbery Honor and Pura Belpré Award.
In this author talk, Pam will explain how she turns ideas into books, where her characters come from, and what inspires her stories about hope, courage, and finding your voice. Young readers, aspiring writers, parents, and teachers will all enjoy hearing from one of today’s top children’s authors.
Get ready to listen, laugh, and be inspired. Find out why Pam Muñoz Ryan’s books are favorites in classrooms, libraries, and homes everywhere. This is a great chance for kids and families to meet an author whose stories stay with you long after you finish reading.
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I will be at this, because I'll take any chance I can to hear Pam speak. Please come up and say hi to me if you attend!!
I cannot tell you how many times I've heard Pam speak and I always learn something new. She is an absolute DELIGHT and an incredible author!!
MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE - HELP LAUNCH ROOSEVELT'S SCHOOL REFURBISHED LIBRARY
Access Books Bay Area is a non-profit organization that provides public elementary schools in under-resourced districts with new books and a refreshed library space. We believe all children in the Bay Area, regardless of socioeconomic status, deserve a welcoming school library with new, culturally relevant pleasure reading books to discover a love of reading.
VOLUNTEER HERE TO HELP WITH MURAL PAINTING:
VOLUNTEER HERE TO HELP WITH BOOK PROCESSING:
ENTER BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A FREE COPY OF BECAUSE OF A SHOE!
RANDOM HOUSE IS GIVING AWAY A COPY OF BECAUSE OF A SHOE to a reader of this newsletter!! You can enter here (only open to mailing addresses in the U.S. and Canada). You must enter by April 30th
PLEASE SEND ME YOUR EARTH DAY BOOKS FOR POSSIBLE REVIEW AND COVERAGE ON APRIL 22
I'd love to do an Earth Day column with reviews and giveaways on April 22nd. If you have an Earth Day title, please do reach out. I will confess that I am hard copy only, I truly do not like reading books (particularly picture books) on line. TIA!
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NOTE: I feel like a couple of you have sent info, but I can't find the e-mails in my in-box (I have about 5000 unopened e-mails in my three in-boxes). So, to help my sieve like brain, please resend with the subject line: EARTH DAY BOOK FOR NEWSLETTER.
Thanks so much!
YA BOOK CLUB FOR ADULTS - FIRST BOOK - DEAR MEDUSA
GETTING A LOT OF INTEREST, YAY!!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU PREFER JULY 12 OR 19
Over the years, parents have said that they wish they had a book club like their children/teens do, so I’m thinking about having occasional Book Clubs for Grown Ups.
Right now I’m figuring out interest and timing. If you have time/energy/spoons (#SpoonTheory) please let me know what you think/if you’d like to attend.
Book Club would be a one time meeting on either Sunday July 12 or July 19 from 4-6 at Reach and Teach in San Carlos. My lovely colleagues there (Craig and Derrick) will supply treats, yum!!
And, you can stroll around San Carlos after and have a delicious dinner at one of the many amazing restaurants. :-)
The book would be DEAR MEDUSA by Olivia Cole, which was one of the finalists when I was on the LA Times Young Adult Book Award Committee. It’s an INCREDIBLE book!!!
Participants would read the book ahead of time (which is different from the multiple week book clubs I do with the students).
Cost would be $40 and include a paperback copy of the book, which could be picked up at Reach and Teach. If you’d like the book shipped to you, there would be an additional shipping cost.
I think this would be SO MUCH FUN!!! Please let me know what you think. Also, please feel free to share this.
THEY CALLED US ENEMY
In April and May, join Redwood City Public Library for One Book, One Coast, which unites libraries and communities across California, Oregon and Washington around a shared book and conversation. The 2026 selection, They Called Us Enemy, is George Takei’s graphic memoir of his childhood incarceration during World War II. Read along to learn how shared books and stories build stronger communities.
Read along and attend the programs happening in May to join the discussions it inspires. Save these dates:
Morrish Collection: SAT MAY 9 at 1pm
Seeds of Activism: THU MAY 14 at 6:30pm
Book Bites: TUE MAY 26 at 12pm
Live-stream with George Takei: SUN MAY 31 at 2pm
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY, APRIL 25!!!
Check out what your local indies are doing that day!! All kinds of great events, swag, and special products ONLY available on April 25!!
Overview
Alison Kim shares an ode to the wonderfully diverse and humorous ways dogs get ready to sleep in this playful and irresistible picture book.
Join us at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore on Wednesday, April 22 when Alison Kim comes to the store to present her new picture book The Art of How Dogs Sleep. Alison will sign books after the presentation.
Click Here to order a copy of The Art of How Dogs Sleep.
"Whimsical and dreamy, certain to delight dog lovers with its heart and humor." —Kirkus Reviews
Dogs can fall asleep at any time: right after breakfast, in the afternoon, or in the evening. But how do they do it? Let’s pay attention closely, as there are quite a few details to observe, such as finding and preparing the perfect spot, stretching each toe bean eeeextra wide, and breathing long and slow.
Subtly inviting the reader to slow down and be mindful, this charming picture book with its wide cast of adorable dogs explores their secret and slumbery world and invites you, too, to curl up, close your eyes, and drift off to sleep.
ALISON KIM is an author, illustrator, and UX designer with BA degrees in Art and English from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Graphic Design from the Academy of Art. She has worked in some awesome creative environments, including Pixar, ModCloth and Office: Jason Schulte Design. Alison believes that picture books and dogs are the best things in the whole wide world. She is a member of SCBWI, and lives in California with her sweet pups, Peanut and Oliver. The Art of How Dogs Sleep is her debut picture book.
THIS EVENT is free but registration is requested. Registration ends at 5:30 pm on April 22.
NEW YA BOOK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE AIDS CRISIS AND WHERE THINGS STAND TODAY
From the Random House Website:
A thoughtful, poignant look at the AIDS crisis in the United States that includes primary source interviews, history, medical research, and cultural touchpoints.
The AIDS crisis in America is complex and composed of countless individual stories of grief, love, and advocacy. Its history shows the power of youth activism, how creativity and community can be vehicles for social change, and how bigotry and misinformation led to inequality in care.
The early days of the AIDS crisis saw LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities making strides in the fight for equality. As many people in positions of power were slow to act or actively didn’t pay attention until their own communities were affected, the fight for equality turned into a fight for their lives. Grassroots efforts filled in gaps where mainstream medicine and politics failed, and over time, a cultural shift of awareness emerged, which led to more research and more treatments. And while the disease has transitioned from a death sentence to one that people can live full lives with, there are still people dying of HIV/AIDS today because they can’t access the care they need. The fight may have begun decades ago, but is not yet over.
Award-winning author David Levithan and University of Cambridge PhD Gabriel Duckels detail a brief history of the epidemic, touching on key moments and figures, such as Ryan White, ACT UP, Larry Kramer and Anthony Fauci, Pedro Zamora from MTV’s The Real World, and the Names Quilt. Threaded throughout are poems, essays, and other creative works, in addition to first-person interviews and narratives. The most important takeaway is that we must remember. We need to know what happened and why. Our voices are powerful, and they can make a difference.
Donna Lambo-Weidner has sailed the seven seas with swashbuckling pirates, crossed blades with sword-wielding knights, and circumnavigated the moon in a cardboard box...all before the age of eight. Now that she’s earned a Bachelor of Arts, lived on two continents, and raised four kids (humans, not goats), Donna writes books for children based on her childhood adventures laced with her actual life experiences—dogsledding in the arctic is one. She lives in Northern California with her husband and a rambunctious Labrador Retriever. Join us for book reading of her latest picture book, There Are No Dragons in this Book!
AMAZING OPPORTUNITY - CLASSROOM CONVERSATION WITH KADIR NELSON!!
A Classroom Conversation with Kadir Nelson
Thursday, April 23 | 1:00–1:45 p.m. ET
All teachers and students are invited to a special NCTE online event!
NCTE is thrilled to welcome award-winning artist Kadir Nelson, illustrator of books for young readers including recently released Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game, which he will read during the event.
We invite educators, their students, and preservice teachers to a 45-minute conversation with Kadir.
This event is free for NCTE members and nonmembers. Registration is required, and nonmembers may create an account to log in. Registration will close 90 minutes prior to the event.
Certificates of attendance will be available to participating classrooms and individuals upon request.
Please contact profdev@ncte.org with any questions.
FEATURED GUEST
Kadir Nelson is a highly acclaimed painter and the illustrator of many books for young readers, including the Caldecott Medal winner The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander; the New York Times bestseller We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, winner of the Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor as well as the Sibert Medal; Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game; and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, which was an NAACP Image Award winner, Caldecott Honor Book, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner. His work has appeared in many publications, including Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, and The New Yorker. Kadir’s original paintings are in the permanent collections of the US House of Representatives and the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and National Museum of African American History and Culture. A recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement, he has also been inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. He lives in Southern California.
FACILITATOR
Detra M. Price is the executive director of the Center for Digital Learning and Innovation and a professor of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology. She currently serves as the President-Elect for the National Council of Teachers of English. Price’s award-winning research draws on ethnographic and sociocultural lenses to examine the intersection of critical literacy education, learning technologies, and equity-based curriculum development in K–8 classrooms. She has developed initiatives for professional organizations, institutions of higher education, and K–12 school districts to support the exploration of impactful teaching practices that intersect with online learning and culturally responsive pedagogies, as well as children’s literature.
HOW JEWISH AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS REVOLUTIONIZED CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS
Children/YA book author Dashka Slater and illustrator/author Lisa Brown in conversation
Jewish Arts and Bookfest
Sunday, May 3, 2026
at UC Berkeley’s Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, 2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
What do Frog and Toad, Curious George, Shrek, and the Wild Things have in common?
They were all written and illustrated by Jews. Join children’s book creators Lisa Brown and Dashka Slater for a conversation about groundbreaking picture book artists like Maurice Sendak, Ezra Jack Keats, and William Steig, and how their backgrounds, whether by design or not, influenced their thoughts about visual art, writing, and childhood.
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HOW I WISH I COULD BE AT THIS!! The amount of growing AntiSemitism in this world is terrifying (and shocked me out of my complacency). This discussion is going to be AMAZING!! Two brilliant and talented Jewish Women in Conversation.
About Lisa Brown
Lisa Brown is a New York Times bestselling illustrator, author, and cartoonist of more than twenty books. Her award-winning picture books include: The Airport Book, The Hospital Book, The Moving Book, Mummy Cat by Marcus Ewert, and The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming, by Lemony Snicket, and is the creator of the “Baby Be of Use” series of board books for McSweeney’s. Her comics include The Phantom Twin, a graphic novel for young adults, and Long Story Short, a literary comic strip collection. She writes essays and book reviews for New York Times and other publications, and is senior adjunct faculty at the California College of the Arts. Lisa lives in San Francisco, where she chairs the board of 826 Valencia and drinks too much coffee.
Photo Credit: Kristen Sard
About Dashka Slater
New York Times-bestselling author Dashka Slater has been described as a “triple threat” for her success in journalism, adult fiction, and children’s literature. The author of many books of fiction and nonfiction for children, teenagers, and adults, her work has been translated into more than fifteen languages and has sold more than a million copies. She has received numerous awards for her writing, including the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award gold medal for Accountable, the 2023 Kurt Vonnegut Speculative Fiction Award for her short story, The Jeanines of Summer, and the 2018 Wanda Gág Read Aloud Award for her picture book, Escargot.
Her books for younger children include the beloved Escargot picture book series, The Feylawn Chronicles middle grade fantasy series, and The Antlered Ship, which received four starred reviews and was named one of the best picture books of the year by Amazon.com. Her New York Times best-selling young-adult true crime narrative, The 57 Bus, has received numerous accolades, including the Stonewall Book Award, and was named to Time magazine’s list of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Her latest nonfiction narrative, Accountable, was the first young adult title to ever receive the prestigious J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize from the Columbia Journalism School and Harvard’s Neiman Foundation for Journalism and received numerous additional awards.
Photo Credit: Amy Sullivan
INSTRUCTIONS ON SUBMITTING TO THE NEWSLETTER
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.