Children's Lit Newsletter 02/21/24

Phew! Been sitting on this information for a bit (I'm one of the judges). These books are all absolutely PHENOMENAL!! If you haven't read them, DO!!! The winner will be announced on April 19 at the University of Southern California. Until then, my lips are sealed!:-)

Yes, I'm FINALLY getting it together. If you haven't sent your info, please do so now, the subject line MUST READ: Children's Literature Resource Guide.

This guide is for schools, parents, librarians, etc. who would like to hire a Children's Book Creator to present to their school or group.

I'm just copying and pasting all the info, in no particular order (except me, I go first) :-)

Again, put your name, website, and some information about the type of presentations you do. Please do include contact information.

I'll put it all into a pdf that can be shared widely

Thanks!

Come meet Shannon Hale, a Newbery Honor–winning and New York Times bestselling author. Some of her titles for the younger set include The Princess in Black 1-10, and the Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn series. For the middle grade set she wrote the Princess Academy books, and her popular graphic novels, Real Friends, Best Friends, Friends Forever, and Rapunzel's Revenge. She also has written three novels for adults, including Austenland, made into a 2013 film starring Keri Russell. She and her husband, the author Dean Hale, have four children and live near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Shannon will be giving a presentation, reading from her latest book in the Kitty-Corn Series Party Hearty Kitty-Corn, answering questions and signing her books.

Registering and purchasing any of Shannon's books will enter you in the drawing to win Shannon's upcoming release Bubbly Beautiful Kitty-Corn. Its publication date is March 26.

TICKETS HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shannon-hale-meet-and-greet-at-hicklebees-tickets-845218339807?aff=oddtdtcreator

Get ready for another epic Hilo adventure in the laugh-out-loud funny New York Times Bestselling graphic novel series— this time Hilo's favorite magical warrior cat, is going to boarding school!

"An action-packed page-turner with heart!" --Dav Pilkey, author of DOG MAN

Welcome to the Wombatton Academy of Better Magic!

NOTE: These books make the BEST gifts!! I will definitely be there with a HUGE stack for Judd to sign!

Hilo's favorite warrior-cat-friend, Polly's adventures with Hilo have landed her in trouble! So when Polly breaks one too many rules, she gets sent to Wombatton--the magical boarding school for bad kids. But something strange is going on at Wombatton--why does everyone pick on Polly's roommate? And why have students started disappearing? Can Polly get to the bottom of this magical mystery and reunite with Hilo and her friends on Earth?!

Full of action, humor, and lots of heart—the New York Times calls Hilo, "A story that can be enjoyed by the entire family." Don't miss out on the latest installment of this beloved series that kids and grownups love!

Judd Winick is the creator of the beloved New York Times bestselling Hilo series. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and their two kids. Judd has written bestselling comic book series, has appeared as a cast member on MTV's The Real World: San Francisco, and is the author of the acclaimed graphic novel Pedro and Me, about his Real World friend AIDS activist Pedro Zamora. Judd is currently working on the next Hilo graphic novel!

About Finally Heard:

From the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk comes the sequel to Finally Seen in which Lina gets a phone and tries to navigate social media, only to discover not everything online is what it seems.

When ten-year-old Lina Gao sees her mom’s video on social media take off, she’s captivated by the potential to be seen and heard! Maybe online she can finally find the confidence she craves. Whereas in real life she’s growing so fast, she feels like microwave popcorn, bursting out of her skin!

With the help of her two best friends, Carla and Finn, and her little sister, Millie, Lina sets off to go viral. Except there’s a lot more to social media than Lina ever imagined, like:

1. Seeing inside her classmates’ lives! Is she really the only person on the planet who doesn’t have a walk-in closet?
2. Group chats! Disappearing videos! What is everyone talking about in the secret chats? And how can she join?
3. A bazillion stories about what to eat, wear, and put on her face. Could they all be telling the truth? Everyone sounds so sure of what they’re saying!

As Lina descends deeper and deeper into social media, it will take all her strength to break free from the likes and find the courage to be her authentic self in this fast-paced world.

About Kelly Yang:

Kelly Yang is the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk (winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children’s Literature), Parachutes, Three Keys, Room to Dream, New from Here, Finally Seen, and Finally Heard. Front Desk also won the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal, was the 2019 Global Read Aloud, and has earned numerous other honors including being named a best book of the year by Amazon, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and NPR. Learn more at KellyYang.com.

Praise for Finally Seen:

* In this involving, realistic chapter book, a likable character overcomes a series of obstacles while forging strong connections with her parents, her sister, and two friends. Yang...writes with a beguiling combination of clarity, simplicity, and immediacy in a new story exploring the practical and emotional challenges of immigration as experienced by children.
— Booklist, starred review
"Yang covers a lot of ground, from immigrant experiences and socio-economic inequities to climate change and middle school angst. The plotline that really stands out, however, is when Lina discovers that books can comfort the struggling, link people together, and create changes both internal and external. This theme propels the action through the book’s satisfying climax when she must decide whether to use her voice to stop a book that she loves from being banned in her classroom.
Timely and pointed."
— Kirkus Reviews
"As Lina attempts to adapt, facing bullying at school, she finds solace in the form of an encouraging teacher, new friends, and the school library. And gradually, when a class book selection that resonates deeply with Lina is challenged, her growing confidence develops into a tool she can use to speak out. In a thematically wide-ranging, character-driven novel, Yang (Front Desk) highlights the importance of representation alongside one child’s experience of navigating a complex reality."
— Publishers Weekly
"Yang does a skillful job in portraying Lina’s multitude of emotions. There’s the sadness of leaving her grandmother behind in a Chinese nursing home and the isolation and loneliness stemming from her imperfect English. Issues of racism and class come up when Lina is teased at school, an Asian American graphic novel is targeted for censorship, and her parents struggle to be paid fairly and to get updates on their green card applications."
— Horn Book Magazine

MORE INFO HERE: https://www.keplers.org/

Children’s Book Week

Celebrate in 2024

Children’s Book Week, established in 1919, is a celebration of books and the connection they bring. This beloved program continues to grow and adapt each year with new resources and ideas for joining in. Read on for everything you need to celebrate with us May 6-12!

Sign Up to Participate This Spring

We invite classrooms and schools, public and school libraries, bookstores, other organizations, and individuals to sign-up to participate. You will receive 2 free copies of Sophie Blackall’s amazing poster while supplies last.

Participation does not need to be elaborate. Locations that are able are encouraged to host a free event during the week for their community. Participation ideas for individuals, families, and locations can be found below.

Celebrate with us May 6-12 in school, at your local library or bookstore, at home, online, and in whatever setting is appropriate for your community.

https://everychildareader.net/cbw/celebrate-2024/

Yes, I'm dating myself, but this is how some of y'all gave me such a giggle!! I had said, for inclusion in the Children's Literature Resource Guide, or to list things in the newsletter the subject line MUST READ, FOR THE NEWSLETTER or FOR THE CHILDREN"S LITERATURE RESOURCE GUIDE. And a number of you literally put, MUST READ.......

(and, if you don't know what the title of this section is referring to, look up George Burns and Gracie Allen)