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E/W Book Love!
Ernesto Cisneros
2021 Pura Belpré Award
 Winner
(Quill Tree Books, Harper Collins)
SLJ | Kirkus
Booklist | PW
CONGRATULATIONS, Ernesto
–it’s an honor!
Siân Gaetano interview (2.5.21)
SG: Congratulations! The first question is, of course, how does it feel to win the Pura Belpré Children's Author Award?
Ernesto: It's surreal, for sure. I certainly was not expecting this incredible honor--in fact, I am still letting the idea sink in. The best part, however, has been hearing from both my parents. They are thrilled and incredibly proud. As a son, that is the greatest feeling in the world.
SG: Efrén Divided is your debut and it came out in March. 2020 was, understandably, a bizarre publishing year. What was your experience with making a debut at this time?
Ernesto: As odd as this might seem, being a debut author during these times was a blessing in disguise. Everything was completely new to me, so I did not know what to expect. What helped me most through these uncharted waters were my debut friends at @Class2k20Books. They were amazing. Together we dreamed up new ways of supporting each other.
Another blessing was the support of teachers, librarians, bookstores and the entire literary community, who took it upon themselves to make sure our books reached readers. As an added bonus, I was able to make lots of friends across the nation.
SG: What is it like to be acknowledged for a first work that came out during such a tumultuous period?
Ernesto: Honestly, the experience is bittersweet. It is difficult to be excited about receiving accolades while there is so much hurt and suffering worldwide--particularly in regard to the separation of families.
At the same time, the acknowledgment I have received for Efrén Divided keeps me hopeful. It reminds me of the good in the world, and that things can get better. Hearing that the book is resonating with readers and giving them a new perspective is tremendously rewarding...
SG: Why did you want to write for this age group?
Ernesto: ...I've always felt that books are like the manuals of life. Unfortunately, there are not enough books that speak to the Latinx experience. I wanted students to see themselves on the page and witness how amazing they truly are. Never did I expect that the book would resonate with so many readers.
PETE THE CAT:
VALENTINE'S DAY
IS COOL
by Kimberly & James Dean
(Harper Festival)
#4
(as of 02.28)
Children’s Picture Books - Best Sellers - Books - Feb. 28, 2021
Marking East/West's
265th week
PETE THE CAT:
VALENTINE'S DAY
IS COOL
is also on the
#
along with
Anna Dewdney's
LLAMA LLAMA
I LOVE YOU
(Viking)
#
(2.11.21)
A
on Amazon
and
 
A Top 10 Overall
#3
(PW issue of 2.22)
As far as Indies:
Listed in 4 markets:
CALIBA/Southern, SIBA,
PNBA, and GLIBA
CONGRATULATIONS
to Gayle E. Pitman and
MY MADDY
(Magination; illustrated by
Violet Tobacco)
2021 Rainbow Book List Top 10 Title for Young Readers
2021 Rainbow Book List
Top 10 for young readers!
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Happy Book Birthday
BARTALI'S BICYCLE
The True Story of
Gino Bartali,
Italy's Secret Hero
by
Megan Hoyt
in her picture book
biography debut
(Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
Quill Tree Books/HC)
The incredible true story of how an internationally renowned cyclist saved over 800 lives during WWII using the one thing no authority would ever question – his bicycle.
A Junior Library Guild selection
Italian version
upcoming from Harper Italy
As featured in:
New Kids' and YA Books:
Week of February 22, 2021
In this picture book biography, Hoyt relays the extraordinary actions of Gino Bartali, an Italian cyclist who won the 1938 Tour de France and went on to save approximately 800 Jewish people and 50 English soldiers during the Nazi occupation of Italy.
"The story of an Italian cyclist whose work with the Resistance in World War II earned him the designation of “Righteous Among Nations” from Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Center. ... A well-made story and a welcome, timely reminder of what true courage is."
—Kirkus
Showcased in
PW’s “Feats of Strength”—
Five nonfiction picture books spotlight pioneers who made change while on the move …
"Hoyt’s prose is atmospheric and Bruno’s bold, poster-style illustrations prove thoroughly immersive. An engrossing look at a humble man whose efforts benefited many."
— PW
"This attractive and engaging account of a famous athlete, recognized as Righteous Among the Nations in 2013, and his quiet heroism is inspirational and adds a unique perspective to Holocaust literature."
—Booklist
Excerpt from SCBWI Carolinas:
Read the full article here—
as Megan recounts three years of research that led her to Italy, The Gino Bartali Museum, and key stops that revealed the hidden story of this humble man.
Park Road Books
This compelling nonfiction picture book for elementary-age readers offers a unique perspective on World War II history. It's a strong choice for units on the war and for biographies of lesser-known heroes in history and in sports.
Karen Chaplin, editor at HC, with Megan
Happy Book Birthday
MOON CHILD
by
Gaby Triana
Triana's 17th atmospheric and haunting novel.
And what a great way to celebrate WOMEN IN HORROR MONTH!
Save the Date: March 13th
3-5pm Pacific
Announcing our next
"2nd Saturday"
ZOOM-tacular event
with special guest, Tamar Mays,
Executive Editor, Harper Collins.
Exclusively for E/W clients
Check your inbox for an email.
RSVP to send Qs in advance
+ receive the link!
Happy Lunar New Year! 
Year of the Ox
Image by Shiho Pate
Happy Lunar New Year!
(Tết holiday, in Vietnam)
Image by Linh My Nguyen
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Happy Book Birthday
AN EQUAL SHOT
How the Law Title IX Changed America
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
award-winning
Dow Phumiruk
(Christy Ottaviano/Henry Holt; Macmillan)
... from the stellar team that created
the acclaimed
COUNTING ON KATHERINE
(l to r: Deborah Warren, Christy Ottaviano, Dow Phumiruk, Helaine Becker, and Susan Schulman,
Helaine's agent)
As featured in:
New Kids' and YA Books:
Week of February 22, 2021
and
New and Forthcoming Titles
on Women, Girls and Empowerment
"It takes just three words to say,
"It isn't fair."
“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
"... [T]his book serves as a solid starting point for anyone interested in the groundbreaking law... Back matter includes four biographies of significant female architects of the legislation, effects of the law both past and present, “More Work to Do,” and additional resources."
—PW
Showcased in
PW’s “Feats of Strength”—
“The simply worded, well-crafted main text makes its points effectively, while the art, combining digital and traditional elements, illustrates the words with quiet dignity. An intriguing, early introduction to women’s rights."
—Booklist
"A recommended addition that expands awareness of the full impact of Title IX."
—SLJ
Fun fact:
Dow included some of the publishing team in this illustration. The women carrying the banner are (l to r): Helaine Becker, Dow, Christy Ottaviano, and Deborah Warren
An EQUAL SHOT celebrates the power of words to defend and unite vulnerable people …
Dow talked about her process for AN EQUAL SHOT in a Book Birthday interview with Erin Dealey:
ED: What was the biggest challenge you encountered while creating the illustrations for AN EQUAL SHOT?
Dow Phumiruk: The biggest challenge was figuring out what to draw! The text talks about Title IX, but there are little clues about setting and characters for me to run with and draw – unlike COUNTING ON KATHERINE, with images of Katherine and a progression of her life story being pretty obvious subject matter. Helaine Becker and I were together for that project, with Christy Ottaviano at the helm as editor, as well as for this book.
I think this book will get kids thinking about how they can champion equal rights like Patsy Mink, Shirley Chisholm, Bernice Sandler, and Edith Green did.
See full article here,
including tips for illustrators
just starting out.
Stay tuned for Dow's next project,
HELLO, TREE,
written by Ana Crespo,
releasing September 2021.
(Little, Brown/Hachette)
Happy Book Birthday
HOME FOR A WHILE
by Lauren H. Kerstein
Illustrated by Natalia Moore
(Magination Press)
in Children's Orphans
& Foster Homes Books
Calvin is in foster care, and he wants to trust someone, anyone, but is afraid to open his heart. He has lived in a lot of houses, but he still hasn’t found his home. When he moves in with Maggie, she shows him respect, offers him kindness, and makes him see things in himself that he’s never noticed before. Maybe this isn’t just another house, maybe this is a place Calvin can call home, for a while.
Includes an Author's Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals.
"Most books with this much purpose fall down on the lessons. This one transcends them, for a true story of how a home happens."
—SLJ, starred
"...as much a model for foster parents as it is a story to provide validation of foster children’s experiences...Gentle and wise—especially as a read for foster parents."
—Kirkus
Featured in ALA's Festival of Shorts!
Lauren launched
HOME FOR A WHILE
at a virtual event with illustrator
Natalia Moore (zooming in from the UK)
via Second Star to The Right, in Denver.
Read more about Calvin and Lauren's journey on her blog interview with Erin Dealey for HOME FOR A WHILE's Book Birthday.
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PW Deal Announcements
Illustrator Highlight:
New talent:
Chad Hunter (l) and Rowan Ortins (r)
Illustrator Highlight.
 
More February BOOK Love!
  
MORE AWARDS!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANA CRESPO!
LIA & LUÍS: WHO HAS MORE? is the 2021 Mathical Book Prize Winner in the PreK category.
(illustrated by Giovana Medeiros; Charlesbridge)
"The Mathical Book Prize is an annual award for fiction and nonfiction books
that inspire children of all ages to see math in the world around them."
Check out this article featured in PBS SoCal about Ana, Lia & Luís, and the Mathical Book Prize.
More Great Exposure!
Shannon Hitchcock was interviewed about
SAVING GRANDDADDY'S STORIES (Reycraft)
on Roy's Folks / FOX.
Yadkin County native introduces famed Appalachian storyteller to children.
 
“It’s really kind of a universal story because it’s a story between a grandparent and a grandchild,” Shannon said. “It shares how the stories were handed down to him, then handed down to his own children and then saved for all of us.”
Click here to watch it.
Colby – you are sharp, indeed – THANKS for the call out!
“Megan E. Freeman’s Alone is AMAZING! I can’t stop thinking about it. It is so darn good.”
Alone by Megan E Freeman - YouTube
A regional INDIE bestseller / MPIBA (week of 2.16) & CALIBA (week of 2.24)
Perma-Bound hosted an early launch party to celebrate
Sibert-honor award winning Patricia Newman's upcoming MG nonfiction:
PLANET OCEAN
Why We All Need a Healthy Ocean
(Grades 5 - 9 | Millbrook Press / Lerner)
Annie Crawley, Photographer
Coming March 2nd!
in Children's Australia and Oceania History
"Presenting a good deal of information within a well-organized framework, the book conveys a strong sense of urgency to clean the global ocean and restore the ecosystems it supports."
—Booklist
 
Click here to watch this STUNNING 4-minute video.
  
Great presentation at CSLA, Patti!
Back to launch parties—save the date!
 
March 16, 2021, at 7:00 EST
Click here for more information.
Halli Gomez teaches martial arts and writes for children and young adults. She has written several stories with neurodivergent characters including her young adult novel, LIST OF TEN (Sterling, March 2021) When no one is looking, she sock skates through the house and talks to dogs like they are human. When people are looking, she enjoys reading, outdoors, and breaking out of escape rooms with her family. Halli lives in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and two dogs.
The Book Bratz: Where did you get the idea for LIST OF TEN?
Halli: The idea for LIST OF TEN is loosely based on my childhood. I have Tourette syndrome so my high school days were pretty similar to the main character Troy’s. The idea of structuring the plot as a list came from an idea while on a walk. That’s usually where all my ideas start.
The Book Bratz: This book deals with a wide range of important topics, from illness to mental health. What do you hope that readers who resonate with this will take away from this book?
Halli: This book definitely deals with a lot of tough and important topics. I tried to not shy away from any of them because real life doesn’t. I do hope that readers who are struggling with these or similar issues will find hope in this book and realize they are not alone. For all readers, my goal is that they find understanding and compassion. We’ve all met people who are having a difficult time for one reason or another. How we treat them can go a long way.
The Book Bratz: What kind of research goes into writing a book like LIST OF TEN, which involves so many different diagnoses?
Halli: Because this book is loosely based on my life and diagnoses, I have personal knowledge. Of course no two people are the same and these diagnoses affect everyone differently so I researched a lot of information from national and local organizations, read a lot of others personal stories, and talked to people about their experiences.
2021 Debut Interview: Halli Gomez! - The Book Bratz
 
 
One of this year’s first three Every-Child-a-Reader's Get Caught Reading posters feature two-time Olympic World champion and bestselling author Kristi Yamaguchi reading MY NAME IS NOT ISABELLA: JUST HOW BIG CAN A LITTLE GIRL DREAM by NYT bestselling Jennifer Fosberry (Sourcebooks), the launch title of the 6-book series.
Click here to listen to this A-mazing read of ISABELLA: GIRL IN CHARGE, the fifth book in the series:
"Spoiler Alert!! I’m going to cry! Ha. This book is amazing. Isabella books always take the reader on a very informative adventure & this particular book did not disappoint! This is an informational tale about all the women firsts in government. Clearly the book was written before Kamala Harris & filmed before the election was final... but this era in time is the perfect time to teach all of our little ones about all the women that have been the first to blaze the trails of United States government and little miss Isabella does just that in the “Girl In Charge” sequence of her series."
—Laisces Reliable Review
East/Westers joined in on the #WRAD fun for World Read Aloud Day
 
 
Susan Katz led a meditation session for kids during #WRAD.
(Illustration of Erin Dealey --above R--by Luciana Navarro Powell)
Speaking of Erin, check out this new Kirkus review for PETER EASTER FROG
(Caitlyn Dlouhy; Atheneum; illustrated by G. Brian Karas):
"You may know the Easter Bunny, but get ready to meet Peter Easter Frog!"
 
"As he hops along, so does a repeated refrain, which always begins with two words ending with “-ity” coupled with “Easter’s on its—” (“Squishity, squashity, Easter’s on its—”; “Yippity, yappity, Easter’s on its—”); each page turn playfully upends the expected conclusion of the line... When the group finally meets the real Easter Bunny—hilariously, at the end of a dark tunnel—it seems that things may go awry, but all ends hoppily, happily, and inclusively."
—Kirkus
And check out this new SLJ review of Dow Phumiruk’s
debut as an authorial-illustrator in HUGSBY (Viking):
Hugsby and Shelly demonstrate valuable lessons about what really matters and how peer pressure can cause us to judge ourselves and those we care about unfairly. The perfect accompaniment to this gentle story, Phumiruk’s sweet, pastel-toned illustrations are full of fun details and adorable monsters that young readers will enjoy poring over, even down to the endpapers. VERDICT This charming read-aloud is an especially strong recommendation to those seeking titles that foster conversations about perfectionism, acceptance, and self-worth.
–SLJ, Darla Salva Cruz, Suffolk Cooperative Lib. Syst., Bellport, NY
 
UNDER THE BROKEN SKY (Nagai) is also among the
25 Great Books for 8th Graders
includes Freeman's debut MG NIV ALONE
and SOLO by Mary Rand Hess & Kwame Alexander.
MORE ACCOLADES!
Alexandra Alessandri’s debut MG Diverse Fantasy, THE ENCHANTED LIFE OF VALENTINA MEJÍA—featuring legends of the author's rural Colombia (currently on submission)—received an Honorable Mention in SCBWI Florida's
2021 Rising Kite Awards!
 
The Children's Literature of Utah (CLAU) has nominated two titles for their 2022 Beehive Award:
Sibert-Honoree Antoinette Portis's HEY WATER (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House)
and – in the poetry section – Thomas Gonzalez’s COUNTDOWN (Peachtree).
 
The Missouri Association of School Librarians has selected THE CROSSOVER graphic novel ( Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile / HMH ) and WHEN PENCIL MET ERASER ( Blanco, Kilpatrick, Ramos / Macmillan) for its 2021-2022 Readers Award Final Nominees List.
Overheard on TWITTER
 
  
 
*CONGRATULATIONS ONE AND ALL*
We are thrilled and thankful to represent such amazing talent.
Artwork by Danielle Arbour
Thanks for following us on Twitter.
Tweet your good news our way and we'll retweet. @EastWestLit .
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Stay safe and be well. 
