The Weekly 411 (5/9/25)
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| © Kira Sokolovskaia |
May 9, 2025 vol. 19
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. We can also be found on Bluesky. This week's illustration is by Kira Sokolovskaia.
Picture Book Giveaway
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About the Book: A tender and vulnerable exploration of love and loss that follows two boys as they take their first trip back to the lake without their father, from debut author-illustrator Angie Kang.
Today, Brother is taking me up to swim in the lake like Father used to.
I want to thank him for bringing us here, but I can’t find the words.
Instead, I loop my arms around his torso, and he does the same back.
Here, in our lake, the water holds us close.
On a sweltering hot day, a little boy mirrors his brother as he takes off his shirt, stretches, and walks toward the edge of the tall rock, ready to dive into the cool lake waters glistening below. Only this time, Father is not here. And the water looks so far away. How can he take the plunge? With a gorgeous, deft touch in her exquisitely soft illustrations and words, Angie Kang conveys vulnerability, longing, and connection as these two boys hear Father’s laugh and see his memory all around them, uniting them in a bittersweet moment.
About the Author-Illustrator: Angie Kang is a Chinese American writer and illustrator living in LA. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Narrative, The Believer, and elsewhere, and has been generously supported by MacDowell and other organizations. Angie graduated from the Brown-RISD Dual Degree Program with a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and a BA in Literary Arts from Brown University. She enjoys painting places she remembers and places she would like to go. Learn more about Angie’s writing and art at AngieKang.net or @anqiekanq on social media.
Middle Grade Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade book, Climate is Just the Start by Mikaela Loach (Bright Matter Books), out now. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.
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Jacket art © 2025 by Philip Pascuzzo
Interior art © 2025 by Lauri Johnston |
About the Book: Kids hear about the climate crisis pretty much every day, from their parents and teachers, on social media, and in the news—there is no escaping it. Recent devastating fires and changing government policies have compounded these concerns. It’s easy for young people to feel powerless.
In her new guide to tackling the climate crisis, Climate is Just the Start, powerhouse author, climate activist, and community organizer Mikaela Loach explains the climate crisis and its broader social implications through stories from her own activism journey. She’s written this book with a hopeful approach, with the goal of inspiring kids and empowering them to understand that they can change the world. She prides herself for keeping a “soft heart” and encourages others to do the same. “If you are not moved by the world, you will not act to move the world.”
About the Author: Mikaela Loach, named by Forbes, BBC Women’s Hour, and The Guardian as one of the most influential women in the UK climate movement, is a British-Jamaican former medical student, climate justice organizer and Director of the AWETHU School of Organizing. Her first book, It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our World, was an instant indie bestseller. She was named the 2023 Non-Fiction Indie Champion by Bookshop.org and one of the “World’s Top Thinkers” by Prospect Magazine. Mikaela has boldly challenged powerful entities, calling out billionaires at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s annual event, taking the UK government to court in the landmark "Paid To Pollute" case in 2021, and challenging Shell’s CEO and board at their AGM for their human rights abuses to people of the Niger Delta in Nigeria.
May 20, 5 p.m. CST IGNITE YOUR KIDLIT FIRE: A New Take on Finding Motivation, Momentum, and Meaning in Children's Book Writing through Personal Experience with Tielmour Press Publisher, Jon Seymour, and hosted by author Rosie J. Pova. Join this engaging, inspiring workshop designed for children's book authors, illustrators, and everyone in between. Discover actionable strategies that can help to ignite your creativity and help you conquer when the creativity drought strikes. Learn to
• Overcome task paralysis and prioritize effectively
• Build unstoppable creative momentum
• Connect deeply with your creative "why"
• Align your mental, physical, and spiritual health for maximum creative output. Leave energized, focused, and ready to bring your stories to life! PLUS, a giveaway of 3 picture book critiques from Jon! ($47)
May 31, 1-2:20 p.m. MST Crafting Your Unique Angle for Nonfiction Success In this dynamic program, you’ll learn how to discover and refine the unique angle that will make your nonfiction KidLit stand out in a crowded market. Whether you're writing a picture book or a young adult narrative nonfiction title, your story deserves a distinct voice and perspective. We'll dive into techniques to help you identify your book's unique hook, ensuring that your message resonates with your target audience. Through interactive exercises and exploring comp titles, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to make their book stand out by finding its unique angle—one that captivates your audience and makes your message unforgettable. ($25 SCBWI members/ $45 nonmembers)
June 3 & 5, 7 - 8:15 p.m. EDT Building Brilliant Book Proposals Are you writing nonfiction for middle grade or YA? Then you need a book proposal to pitch your project to agents/editors. This crucial document hooks readers, outlines your vision, sells your idea, and proves why you’re the right person to write it. Featuring examples from actual book proposals that sold, agent Jacqui Lipton and nonfiction author Stephanie Gibeault will share how to craft a compelling, market-ready book proposal that grabs attention and seals the deal. This event will be recorded, and a replay will be available until July 31. (Highlights Foundation, $59)
Conferences, Workshops & Retreats
Registration opens May 10: Feb. 20-22, 2026 Big Sur Workshop with Andrea Brown Literary Agency Long recognized as one of the top agencies for children’s book writers and illustrators, Andrea Brown Literary Agency (ABLA) brings top tier professionals together with both beginner and seasoned writers. This popular workshop fills quickly. Two industry professionals will mentor you in very small group sessions where one-on-one feedback is provided. Writers will get the chance to mingle and discuss their works with editors, agents, and published authors throughout the all-inclusive weekend. (Big Sur, California)
July 31-Aug 3 SCBWI Virtual Summer Conference Ready to take your children’s book career to the next level? Wherever you are in your publishing journey, the Virtual Summer Conference provides an opportunity for growth, creativity, and connection. Dive into every aspect of the children’s book world, from writing and illustrating to translating, marketing, and self-publishing. Put your art in front of industry pros in the career-launching Portfolio Showcase. And get inspired by sessions tailored for illustrators, picture book authors, nonfiction writers, graphic novel creators, and more—no matter your path or publishing background. Best of all? You’ll have access to all 50+ sessions until September 14th, so you can learn and grow at your own pace. Join us and invest in your passion. It’s time to bring your stories to life! REGISTRATION OPENS TUESDAY, MAY 13TH AT 10AM PACIFIC / 1PM EASTERN
Marketing & Creating a Platform
Book Publicity Isn't a Contest
The Isolation of a Writer's Life: How to Combat Loneliness While Working Solo
These books sound like important reads for everyone.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cover of our lake
ReplyDeleteGorgeous cover of our lake
ReplyDeleteOur Lake is on its way to me, and I can't wait to see it. Instantly captured by love and that sparkly water. Congratulations, Angie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great links.
ReplyDeleteFascinating, lovely artwork.
ReplyDelete