Children's Lit Newsletter 10/8/2025

We are so happy to be welcoming Joe officially into our family

And, no, this is not Children's Literature, but so many of you have seen my 'girls' grow up - you've been an amazing part of their lives. We are so lucky to have an incredible village, so I wanted to share this latest chapter (see, literature reference achieved!) with you.

You are invited to join us for a discussion with Angelica Shirley Carpenter, author of the newly released book Arm in Arm - The Grimké Sisters' Fight for Abolition and Women's Rights

With women's rights under attack this is the perfect time for a book like this! Our own Sharon Levin will interview Angelica about the remarkable true story of the sisters’ lives as they spoke out against slavery even while facing violence from pro-slavery mobs. In the 1800's, when women were expected to stay at home and be quiet, they became pioneer advocates across the country for the women's rights movement. Angelica will take your questions and be available to sign books.

Delicious cupcakes will be provided by Bake Back Better, a grassroots organization that supports groups that help Democrats get elected. The event is co-sponsored by Indivisible Mid-Peninsula, the local branch of Indivisible.

The event is free (or when you RSVP you can pre-order a discounted book that you can pick up at the event). There's plenty of free street parking and several garages around the neighborhood and we are one short block away from the San Carlos Caltrain station and a bock and a half away from the ECR bus.

Register here: https://www.slj.com/event/school-library-journal-day-of-dialog-fall-2025?utm_campaign=17508116-2025%20Fall%20SLJ%20DOD&utm_source=email&utm_medium=SLJnewsletters

TESTIMONIAL: I just gave this to a friend for his little guy (I'm his Fairy BookMother) and they couldn't stop raving about it!! They said it was so heartwarming (hee hee, pun intended) and a great book to read while snuggled up.

Enter for your chance to win a signed copy of the upcoming book The Heart That Found You! Embark on a heartwarming quest for love in this tender, rhyming picture book about adoption, belonging, and the joy of becoming a family—perfect for anyone discovering home in unexpected places. By entering this giveaway, you agree to be added to our giveaway drawing and the Collective Book Studio's mailing list. Physical giveaway mailings are limited to recipients within the United States.

Enter the drawing here:

https://airtable.com/appeNPLdZS3Wt6kje/shrGKQJBJ8I2DpW1D?prefill_Giveaway%20Projects=The%20Heart%20That%20Found%20You%20Giveaway&hide_Giveaway%20Projects=true

ENTER HERE: https://woobox.com/tnm4t4

Follow We Need Diverse Books on Instagram to enter the drawing for the books

We had a portrait of our Grandpuppy Gunther done a few years ago and it was FABULOUS!! We love it even more now since Gunther has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

You can check out Jarrett's site here: https://studiojjk.myshopify.com/collections/pet-art-commissions

Local author Harlow presents her debut young adult novel about a teen competing in a fight club for a chance to escape an abusive home.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abbie-harlows-the-butterflys-sting-in-store-event-and-book-signing-tickets-1641247488419?aff=oddtdtcreator

More info and registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/abbie-harlow-at-books-inc-alameda-tickets-1520529828649?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us at Mrs. Dalloway's Bookstore on Saturday, October 25 when Antoinette Portis comes to present her new children's book, To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here. Antoinette will lead a fun and interactive story time for all ages, and will sign copies of her book. Attendees are encouraged to come in their favorite alien or Halloween costume!

P.S. Don't forget that The Elmwood's Halloween Trick-or-Treating is the same day.

This book is an interstellar portal, and the aliens inside want to get to know you!

Before you lift the cover, be sure you’re ready to meet Zrk and Blrg. They’re not so different from you—but to them, you’re the alien!

After their initial shock at seeing you through the portal, they’re eager to see what kind of teeth you have, compare home planets, and maybe team up for a prank. You met as aliens, but by the time the portal closes, maybe you’ll be friends.

To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here is an interactive treat sure to delight young galactic explorers. Antoinette Portis’ bright lines and bold colors pair perfectly with humor that also offers a subtle message of acceptance. Whether for bedtime or circle time, this is a portal you’ll want to open!

ANTOINETTE PORTIS is the author of many inventive books for children, including Not a Box, Hey, Water!, A New Green Day, and A Seed Grows. Her work has received a Sibert Honor and two Geisel Honors, as well as multiple Best Book of the Year designations. A recipient of the prestigious Sendak Fellowship, she lives in Southern California. Visit her at antoinetteportis.com.

THIS EVENT is free but registration is requested. Registration ends at 1:00 pm on October 25.

BECAUSE SEATING is limited, please register only if you plan to attend.

DUE TO SPACE limitations, we may not be able to accommodate every person at an event, so early registration is encouraged.

WALK-INS will be accommodated only if space allows.

WE ASK that attendees arrive between 1:45 and 2:00 PM for the event.

PLEASE leave your non-support companion animals at home.

Bestselling Authors

RAINA TELGEMEIER & SCOTT MCCLOUD

Tuesday, October 28th, at 6:00pm

TICKETED EVENT AT THE RIO THEATRE:

Calling all young comic fans! Bookshop Santa Cruz is thrilled to welcome #1 New York Timesbestselling cartoonists Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud for a fun event at The Rio Theatre to celebrate their new book, The Cartoonists Club! This exciting event is perfect for young readers and budding artists who love creativity, comics, and friendship. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind story that mixes how-to tips with comic book magic—made just for you. Welcome to the club!

"Telgemeier and McCloud simultaneously explore making new friends, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing a growth mindset to practice and improve… Highly imaginative and cleverly conceived.”

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Raina Telgemeier is the #1 New York Times bestselling, multiple Eisner Award-winning creator of Smile, Sisters, and Guts, which are all graphic memoirs based on her childhood. She is also the creator of Drama and Ghosts, the adapter and illustrator of the first four Baby-sitters Club graphic novels, and, with Scott McCloud, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeier is based on an exhibition that was held at The Ohio State University's Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. Raina lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Scott McCloud is the #1 New York Timesbestselling author of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art; Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels; Zot!; and The Sculptor. He is also, with Raina Telgemeier, the co-creator of The Cartoonists Club. Scott is a frequent lecturer on the power of visual communication, creator of the international 24-hour comic movement, and, in 2021, was inducted into the Will Eisner Awards Hall of Fame. He lives with his family in Oregon.

Click here for details and tickets: https://bookshopsantacruz.com/cartoonists-club

Honestly y'all too many to list. Check out the schedule here:

https://www.litquake.org/2025-schedule

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.

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.