The Weekly 411 (6/28/24)

© Eric Castleman

 June 28, 2024 vol. 26

The Weekly 411 gathers all the links added to Kidlit411 each week. To receive this post by email, sign up for our email updates. Are you on Facebook? Join our Kidlit411 group for conversations and camaraderie. This week's illustration is by Eric Castleman.

Kid Lit News

New Lee & Low Diversity Baseline Survey Finds Minor Changes (Feb 2024)

Picture Book Giveaway

 

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Abuelo, the Sea, and Me, by Ismée Williams, illustrated by Tatiana Garde (Roaring Brook Press 2024). Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

About the Book: When this grandchild visits her abuelo, he takes her to the ocean. In summer, they kick off their shoes and let the cool waves tickle their toes. In winter, they stand on the cliff and let the sea spray prick their noses and cheeks. No matter the season, hot or cold, their favorite place to spend time together is the beach. It’s here that Abuelo is able to open up about his youth in Havana, Cuba. As they walk along the sand, he recalls the tastes, sounds, and smells of his childhood. And with his words, Cuba comes alive for his grandchild.

 

About the Author: Ismée Williams is the award-winning author of the young adult novels Water in May, This Train Is Being Held, and the anthology Boundless: Twenty Voices Celebrating Multicultural and Multiracial Identities. Abuelo, the Sea, and Me is her first picture book. Ismée is a co-founder of the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival as well as a pediatric cardiologist in New York City where she lives with her family. She is the daughter of a Cuban immigrant and grew up listening to her abuelo’s bedtime stories. Follow her on Twitter and IG @IsmeeWilliams and her website: ismeewilliams.com.

 

About the Illustrator: Tatiana Gardel is a New York City-based artist whose work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration. Books she illustrated include The First Day of Peace (Candlewick Press, 2023) and Abuelo, the Sea, and Me (Roaring Brook Press, 2024), and the forthcoming books Xavier's Voice (The Innovation Press, fall 2024), and Painting the Sky with Love (Feiwel & Friends, fall 2024). Born and raised in Brazil, her art is inspired by her culture, mythology, nature, and childhood memories. She is a co-founder of #LatinxPitch and teaches Animation to young artists at the Harlem School of the Arts. You can visit her at tatianagardel.com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Poetry Collection Giveaway

We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book collection, Playing in the Mud: Poems to Capture the Imagination, by Jordan Lukrich (Kidds Tall Tales). Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.

 About the Book: A collection of poems and drawings to feed the imagination. Have an adventure with a pirate, build a fort or journey to an alien planet for a handball tournament. These poems speak to the kid inside all of us. In this book you will find adventure, humor and an all around good time.

 

About the Author-Illustrator: Jordan Lukrich has been working in the animation industry for over 15 years, surrounding himself and his career with art and creativity. Bringing a smile and laugh to someone through art and imagination is something that fuels his creative side. Being able to bring his unique and humorous visions alive for others to take in is a dream come true.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

   

For Writers

Characters Can Just Know Things

How to Bridge Characters' Thoughts in an Omniscient POV

Picture Books

Illustration Notes (To Note or Not to Note?)

Express PB Coaching FREE Mini-video Series. Dive into this bite-size coaching series and master the art of preparing your picture book manuscript for submission with practical, easy-to-follow advice tailored for aspiring authors. Learn about manuscript readiness (word count, character development, and creating impactful takeaways, ensuring your story is polished and submission-ready): story enhancement (spot and fix plot holes, optimize text for illustrations, and master the technique of "show, don't tell" to enrich your narrative and engage your readers), character depth and dialogue (craft intriguing characters with clear stakes, and write authentic, age-appropriate dialogue that drives your story forward and resonates with your audience), and more.

 Contests & Awards

June 19-July 22 Black Voices in Children's Literature

• What: submit an original children's story aimed for ages 0-4 or 4-8
• Who: Black residents of the United States 18 years or older
• Prizes: Consideration for publication by Strive Publishing and cash prizes

Critique Groups

Reasons to Be in More Than One Critique Group

Marketing & Creating a Platform

 

Rosy Sky KidLit PR & Marketing for Traditionally Published Children’s Book Authors - get on the list to be the first to know when it launches (TV appearances, podcasts, book trailers, NYTimes Square billboard feature, bookstore events, school visits, book fairs, video interviews, more)