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Happy Book Birthday

HUGSBY 

by award-winning
Dow Phumiruk

in her debut as author/illustrator

 (Viking Books for Young Readers) 


The most adorable
pet monster ever
shows what everyone needs:
HUGS!




When Shelly adopts her pet monster Hugsby, she loves everything about him. It doesn't matter that he can't do fancy tricks, or whistle, or blow bubbles. He gives the best hugs ever. But when Pet Monster Show and Tell Day arrives, Shelly worries. What can Hugsby do? All the other pet monsters can juggle or do flips or even Hula-hoop! Finally, it's time to show everyone her beloved Hugsby . . . and finally Shelly realizes that what she loves about Hugsby is more important than fancy tricks.


 


At its heart, HUGSBY is a friendship story – a story between Shelly and her sweet pet monster Hugsby … enhanced with a twist and embraced by heart bubble kisses, to boot!
 



“A gentle reminder about accepting others for who they are and of the value of quiet strengths like compassion. Shelly’s anxiety about Hugsby’s absence of talent provides a mirror for children who may feel insecure about their own status. Rendered in a soothing color palette of soft pastels, the illustrations reinforce that warmth and kindness are at the heart of this story. Comforting and sincere, like every good hug."
—Kirkus

 

“… even (Phumiruk’s) spot illustrations are funny and rich in character. And Shelly’s deeper appreciation for Hugsby’s capacity to be loyal, patient, loving, and kind is no small thing.”
—PW



Thank you BookBar Denver
for hosting
Dow and HUGSBY's
virtual Book Launch!



A monstrous success!





A Tattered Covered
Book of the Month!





Click on the image below to meet Hugsby:


Tracy Gates, Editorial Director at
Viking Books for Young Readers



 



Happy Book Birthday


LIFE IN A FROZEN WORLD:

Wildlife in Antarctica

Illustrated by NYT-bestselling
Thomas Gonzalez
(Mary Batten/ Peachtree)

The first of two N/F companion titles—informative introductions to earth science—about animals and plants in extreme environments and how they are being affected by climate change—from the frozen world of Antarctica to the boiling hot vents at the bottom of the sea.



Informativefascinating… The text makes a compelling case for understanding and caring about Antarctica. Gonzalez’s illustrations provide an intriguing depiction of the setting…. A superb choice for students who are studying animal adaptation and how climate change impacts Antarctica. The well-researched text and captivating illustrations work well to convey the importance of conservation.
―SLJ






The ice is melting, and that is affecting not only Antarctica’s creatures but also people all over the world.  Sure to spark a passion for conservation of this incredible habitat.

“...set against a backdrop of gorgeous Antarctic scenes created by Gonzalez.…the scenery is magnificent...”
―Kirkus

Beautifully illustrated… Batten presents well-researched and clearly written text that includes enough detail to engage readers without overwhelming them…. Gonzalez’s double-page pictures present vivid scenes of windswept ice, dramatic skies, and seas teeming with life. This inviting volume provides a lively introduction to Antarctica and its unique ecosystem.”
―Booklist

“Thomas Gonzalez’s watercolor illustrations are lively and precise, helping to make this an enchanting, educational introduction to Antarctica’s biodiversity.”
―Foreword Reviews

 





Happy Book Release

NONFICTION WRITERS DIG DEEP

50 Award-Winning Children's Book Authors Share the Secret of Engaging Writing

(edited by Melissa Stewart/ NCTE)

With essays on crafting engaging nonfiction, professional writers, including Patricia Newman, choose topics that fascinate them and explore concepts and themes that reflect their passions, personalities, beliefs, and experiences in the world.



Coming in 2021 from
Sibert honor winner Newman:

 

PLANET OCEAN

Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean

(Photos by Annie Crawley/ Lerner) 



"Books like this one help lead the way to a better climate future for all inhabitants of Mother Earth. We are all in this together!"
—Jeff Bridges, Academy Award winner and environmentalist
 

 

Let's Connect!


Gianna Marino and Neal Porter visited The Guest Book Holiday House podcast to talk about WE WILL LIVE IN THIS FOREST AGAIN.





Click on the image below to listen to it






And Alexandra Alessandri, author of FELÍZ NEW YEAR, AVA GABRIELA! (illustrated by Addy Rivera Sonda/Albert Whitman) was a guest panelist during the first ever LatinX KidLit Book Festival. There's still time to watch it!

Click on the image below to watch the panel.

 

 

November & December
Bestsellers



Kimberly and James Dean's

PETE THE CAT:
12 GROOVY DAYS
OF CHRISTMAS

(Harper Collins) 

#6 for 12 weeks, as of 12/20
 

PETE THE CAT:
FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS

(Harper Collins) 

#8 for 36 weeks, as of 11/15



Marking East/West's 

261st week:



More Bestsellers!



#68

PETE THE CAT
12 GROOVY DAYS
OF CHRISTMAS

(week of 12.10)


#54


(week of 11.21)

 

#104

(week of 11.21)

  


#20


(week of 12.14)


#24

(week of 11.07)

 



Happy Book Birthday

LLAMA LLAMA
LOOSE TOOTH DRAMA

An Anna Dewdney Book

Illustrated by JT Morrow
(Viking Books for Young Readers)

Also available as an Audio Book (Listening Library)
8 copy floor display with LL plush

Scholastic Book Club Selection






in Stories in Verse

A Brightly Best Book of 2020
for Preschoolers:





Also included in Brightly’s
Merry & Bright: Gift Guides,
Holiday Stories, and More! 

Holiday Book Gifts: Ages 3 – 5

“The gentle rhymes of this charming book
will both comfort and excite little readers
for this important milestone.”

Click on the image below to watch the trailer:


“The fluttering llama fairy, along with Llama’s
stuffed llama, whose wide eyes notice all, will
delight eagle-eyed readers …
A rite of passage seen through the lens of a
favorite literary pal.

—Kirkus

Click on the image below to listen to a sample:






Fun downloadable activities!




Click on the image below to sing the
Llama Llama tooth brushing song:



As featured in Red Tricycle

"The beloved character brought to life by Anna Dewdney is embarking on a new journey and he's taking readers along as he experiences his first loose tooth."


 
“… tooth-fully
a great addition to the series
.”

Visit LlamaLlamaBook.com for books, products, activities and more!


Many more titles upcoming, including... 

LLAMA LLAMA
MEETS THE BABYSITTER  



 LLAMA LLAMA
LOVES HIS MAMA


LLAMA LLAMA
DADDY’S DAY



Nominations are open for
the 2021's ANNA DEWDNEY
READ-TOGETHER AWARD

The winner will be announced during
Children's Book Week 2021.
Click here to nominate your favorite
read-aloud.
 


THE LLAMA LLAMA
PAJAMA DRIVE IS BACK!

​PRH and the Anna Dewdney Literary Trust are teaming up once again with Pajama Program to collect pajamas for kids in need, and will donate one book per pair of pajamas collected.
 


And how cool is this?!


This holiday, Llama Llama and Pete the Cat will be at your local Kohl's store!



All proceeds benefit nonprofits that help children and families.


With over 30 million units in print worldwide, Anna Dewdney’s Llama Llama books from Penguin Young Readers have all been NYT bestsellers with several titles claiming the #1 spot, and her work has been translated into eight languages.
 



Happy Book Birthday

Reed Duncan's

LOOK AT ROLLO!

Illustrated by Keith Frawley
(Penguin Workshop)

For fans of Tiny, Biscuit, and Charlie the Ranch Dog
comes an easy-to-read series about a rambunctious, mischievous, and totally lovable bulldog, Rollo.
Perfect for progressing readers!
 


Meet Rollo: a little bulldog with a giant personality.


Inspired by Duncan's own bulldog, Rollo. 

The 4th in the debut series.

  
 




Happy Book Birthday 

PARADISE ISLAND

A Sam and Colby Book

A paranormal horror novel co-written by
award-winning YA author
 

Gaby Triana

with YouTube ghost hunters and
Teen Choice Award winners 
Sam Golbach and Colby Brock.

 

(Permuted Press/ Simon & Schuster)


in Teen & Young Adult Ghost Stories

When YouTube ghost hunters
Sam and Colby head to Kauai for
an annual bro trip with two childhood
buddies, they’re dying for a break from
paranormal investigations—instead,
they find themselves at the center
of their most horrifying mystery yet.

Four best friends—Check.
One unforgettable week
in Kauai—Check.
Sun, surf, and hula girls
in bikinis—Check.
A creepy mansion on the
forbidden side of the
island…. Check?


Details on Tubefilter:

YouTube Ghost-Hunters Sam And Colby
Release Debut YA Novel ‘Paradise Island’
:

"...fans are already apparently clamoring for
copies, with Paradise Island sitting at No. 1
on Amazon’s ‘Teen & Young Adult Ghost Stories‘
charts, and at No. 21 on Amazon’s overall
‘Teen & Young Adult‘ chart. The guys are
credited as co-authors of Paradise Island 
 alongside YA novelist Gaby Triana —
who is also a YouTuber in her own right
as the host of a channel
called The Witch Haunt."




Gaby Triana is the bestselling author
of 20 novels for teens and adults,
including the Haunted Florida series
(Island of Bones, River of Ghosts, City of Spells),
Wake the Hollow, Cakespell, and Summer of
Yesterday
, a tribute to Walt Disney World's
River Country.



She's a short story contributor in Don't Turn
Out the Lights: A Tribute Anthology to Alvin
Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

and a flash fiction contributor in Weird Tales
Magazine Issue #365
. Gaby writes about
witchy powers, ghosts, haunted places,
and abandoned locations.



She's ghostwritten over 50 novels
for bestselling authors, and her books
have won IRA Teen Choice,
ALA Best Paperback,
and Hispanic Magazine’s
Good Reads Awards.


Photo credit: Curtis Sponsler

 



Acquisitions
and Licensing

 



 
Megan Hoyt’s upcoming BARTALI’S BICYCLE (Quill Tree Books/HC; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno) is a Junior Library Guild selection.
 

 
Woongjin Think Big has licensed Korean rights to Karen Kilpatrick and  Luis O. Ramos, Jr’s WHEN PENCIL MET ERASER, illustrated by Germán Blanco (Macmillan)—A 2020 ILA-CBC Children’s Choice Selection; a 2019 Parents Best Children’s Book; and a #1 Amazon “Hot New Release.”
 


JY Books in Korea has licensed activity sheets for the bedtime fantasy PIGGIES (HMH) by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Don Wood with “luxuriant, witty pictures.”  (Booklist)

Happy Book Birthday

DEAR EARTH...
From Your Friends
in Room 5

 by Erin Dealey

Illustrated by Dilys Evans
Founder Award-winning
illustrator Luisa Uribe
 

(Harper Collins)


This beautiful picture book is a celebration of every child’s ability to connect with the environment and make a positive impact.

What begins as a monthly exchange of ideas between Earth and Room 5 grows into a lasting friendship, a school club with a surprising president, and –hopefully– lifelong Earth-smart habits.
 

Dear Room 5,
Your letter arrived on the wind.
A whisper of hope in the night.
I’m thankful for helpers who care for their planet…


A Kids' INDIE NEXT 

Winter 2020-2021 List



“The students in Room 5 write to their pen pal — the Earth — detailing their yearlong efforts to help improve the environment and decrease their carbon footprint. This is a fun addition for Earth Day and sure to be a hit with teachers!
—Jill Burket Ragase,
Blue Manatee Literacy Project Bookstore, Cincinnati, OH


Click image below to view trailer:

"A year’s worth of letters between elementary students and Earth highlight practical ways to care for our planet...and why these actions matter...



In cheerful, bustling illustrations, Uribe depicts a wonderfully diverse group of schoolchildren indoors and out... 



"A well-thought-out presentation of an important environmental message."
—Kirkus

Dealey shares her thoughts for
young writers on Debbie
Ridpath Ohi's blog here.

"Writing is NOT right or wrong. It doesn't need correcting. It needs polishing so that your stories shine, and others can enjoy them too."

 

The reverse side of the book jacket is repurposed to become a poster: "Be an Earth Hero All Year!" 



Uribe's art from
DEAR EARTH...
will be part of the
Society Of Illustrator's
Original Art Show. 


Activity page

"A fitting classroom read-aloud choice for Earth Day."
—Booklist



#STEM classroom extensions for DEAR EARTH on Patricia Newman's LitLinks. 


—author Lauren Kerstein

Erin shared a sneak peek of
DEAR EARTH...
during Children's Environmental Health Day.


Click on the above image to watch it

   


Dealey teamed up with Shiho Pate, to create these
FREE coloring pages
    
to go with a COVID reader's theater script, The BEST Day of School, available on Erin's 
Teacher Freebie page. 
 
And coming in January...

PETER EASTER FROG

An adorable board book,
perfect for those special Easter baskets! 

Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
(Caitlyn Dlouhy Books / S&S)


 

Happy Book Birthday(s)



MEDITATION STATION

by Susan B. Katz

A picture book about meditation, calming techniques, and mindfulness for children.

Illustrated by Anait Semirdzhyan 

(BalaKidsBooks/
Shambhala Publications) 



An Amazon Editor's Pick
in Best Nonfiction for Kids




"Thoughts are like trains
that zoom right by."
 







"Climb aboard and regulate wiggly minds and bodies... Katz employs a very clever concept: a metaphor using a favorite childhood obsession—it’s hard to top that."
—Kirkus 
  
“A good overview of meditation and mindfulness for young readers.”
—School Library Journal

"An outstanding choice for parents ... and teachers looking to incorporate mindfulness into their lesson plans.
Highly Recommended.”
—The Children’s Book Review

Click on the image below to watch the book trailer:



Read Susan's article in ThriveGlobal here.

A must-read for children all over the world! ... Cute characters and lyrical text show kids that pausing and recharging is possible even in our fast-paced, hyperconnected world.”
—Arianna Huffington,
Founder and CEO of Thrive Global

“An adorably brilliant book for teaching calming techniques and mindfulness to children... With the clarity that comes from serene mindfulness, I predict Meditation Station will be a beloved staple in homes, libraries, children's hospitals, schools and meditation centers for years and years to come.”
Laura Numeroff,
NYT Bestselling Author of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie series

Susan was interviewed on WWJ in Detroit (her hometown) about Meditation Station for World Kindness Day.

Click on the image below to hear it.


"As thoughts zoom in
and out of your brain, 
stay in the station
and just watch each train."
 


And then it was time for 

Happy
Book Birthday #2

THE STORY OF
FRED ROGERS 

A Biography Book
for New Readers

by Susan B. Katz

(Rockridge Press)



in Children's Performing Arts Biographies


“An informative and easy-to-read book that is sure to inspire young readers to be kind, thoughtful, and curious citizens of the world.” 
―Andrew Jordan Nance,
author of Puppy Mind, The Lion in Me, The Barefoot King, and Mindful Arts in the Classroom



 
and

Happy
Book Birthday #3


 

THE STORY OF GANDHI

A Biography Book
for New Readers

by Susan B. Katz

(Rockridge Press) 



CONGRATS!

THE STORY OF
RUTH BADER GINSBURG

A Biography Book
for New Readers

by Susan B. Katz

(Rockridge Press)

is listed on NBC News
holiday gift guide:
10 amazing gifts to inspire young
girls to know their value



Susan B. Katz is an award-winning, Spanish-bilingual author of over a dozen books and National Board Certified Teacher with over 25 years expertise in elementary education.


Deal Announcements



 


Illustrator Highlight:


Check out this GIF by Gregory Barrington, and the amazing animations
by E/W talent Dow Phumiruk, Heather Brockman Lee, Shiho Pate, and Luciana Navarro Powell in this month's Illustrator Highlight.


Happy Holidays!


 


November/ December #Gratitude

 

ALONE by debut MG author Megan E. Freeman
(January 2021; Aladdin/S & S)

"Realistic fiction fans will appreciate the thoughtful use of language that hint at Maddie’s introspection and evolution, and survival buffs will appreciate her creativity as she resolutely addresses each new emergency. "

—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, December 2020

  

Megan talks about her debut author experiences in Erin Dealey's blog series: "What To Expect When You're Expecting...A Book!


Save the date:  

1.12:  Book birthday launch party (6:30 MST) at the BookBar in Denver … 
1.24:  Second Star to the Right (Denver) - guest author in MG book club 
 



AN EQUAL SHOT

How the Law Title IX Changed America

(Christy Ottaviano/Henry Holt; Macmillan)

 
 
Helaine Becker's An Equal Shot is a nonfiction picture book introduction to the history and importance of Title IX
as civil rights legislature, featuring illustrations by Dow Phumiruk.

 
“It took only 37 words to change the United States forever... 
Both an easy-to-read introduction and a powerful reminder that we must always fight for equality."
—Kirkus
 


 

EXCITED about Sterling Teen’s new YA imprint.




Stay tuned for Halli Gomez’s debut #ownvoices YA, LIST OF TEN.

 

Ten: three little letters, one ordinary number. No big deal, right? But for Troy Hayes, a 16-year-old suffering from Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, the number ten dictates his life, forcing him to do everything by its exacting rhythm.

Halli is offering a free first chapter or query critique giveaway if you sign up for her newsletter. Go to https://halligomez.com/subscribe to take advantage of this great offer!
 



Congratulations!







 

 
 


Additional Accolades





A Texas Bluebonnett Master List Title


A Booklist Top 10 First Novels for Youth: 2020

“A vivid glimpse into the tenuous lives of immigrant families, buoyed by hope and empathy.”

 

Recommended Title:


 

An NPR Favorite Book of 2020



Cisneros's EFRÉN DIVIDED and Antoinette Portis's A NEW GREEN DAY
 made Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids of 2020 list!




"From a “comma in the long, long sentence of the stream” (a tadpole!) to “a black coat slipped around Earth’s shoulders” (night!) simple riddles and breathtaking pictures produce a beautiful book."

 

A NEW GREEN DAY is also a... 

 

And it made TODAY's Holiday Gift Guide!


 

Further to Portis’ A NEW GREEN DAY:
Oooh la la!


The Horn Book | Calling Caldecott | NYT/NYPL List, We Miss You (hbook.com)
 


NYT/NYPL List, We Miss You!

 

“…it's just so perfect. It's almost zenlike in its simplicity, but I could look at that picture of the tadpole at the center of a circle of ripples, or the cloud coming into cover the sun, or the lightning zigzagging through the center of a tree, all day long."
—Martha V. Parravano and Julie Danielson






The Horn Book | Fanfare 2020 Annotations (hbook.com)




2020 Favorite Storytime Books - Book Cart Queens

Also included in CBC's Hot off the Press, November 2020 reading list.






2020 Favorite Picture Books - Book Cart Queens

 
 

Additional “Best of” Lists:

 


 


  


PHOTO ARK by Mary Rand Hess is a best children's books of 2020 so far: Nonfiction.

 LLAMA LLAMA YUM, YUM, YUM! by Anna Dewdney is an Amazon best book of the month for baby-age 2.

WHEN PENCIL MET THE MARKERS, by Karen Kilpatrick, Luis O. Ramos, Jr., illustrated by Germán Blanco, is an editor's pick.
 



Dow Phumiruk and Helaine Becker shared COUNTING ON KATHERINE
(Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt/Macmillan) with "a few hundred kids" in Compton Unified and LA Unified School Districts. The virtual meet and greet was arranged by Access Books--with more events to come!

 


Congrats to these Cybils Award nominees

    

   

 


SCBWI's first & fantastic themed
Reading List #Kindness includes 


    
   

 

Speaking of kindness:

James & Kimberly Dean's PTC GROOVY GUIDE TO KINDNESS got some kind words of its own: 


 


Pete the Cat is in good company in this celebration of kindness as a philosophy of life in Kimberley and James Dean's latest, Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to Kindness (HC) For your kind consideration, Pete the Cat has curated some quotes about kindness from all of time and all over the world.“ 
—BooksForKidsblog 

  


 

Overheard on TWITTER




  
 

*CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL*

We are thrilled and thankful to represent such amazing talent.

 




Artwork by Danielle Arbour

 

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