The Weekly 411 (6/13/25)
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| © Jitumoni Goswami |
June 13, 2025 vol. 24
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 Jitumoni Goswami.
Kid Lit News
Bankruptcies of Unbound and Albert Whitman Put Authors Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Appeals Court Reverses Ruling in Texas Book Ban Case
Graphic Novel Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the middle grade graphic novel, The League of Littles by Casey Lyall, illustrated by Sara Faber (Greenwillow Books), out on June 17. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below. Open to US and Canada addresses.
About the Book: The League of Littles is an international organization that protects and supports the needs of youngest siblings—and trainees Lexi, Mo, and Eli are finally ready for their first mission. Another student at their elementary school has lost her big sister’s hamster, Chester, after she borrowed him for show and tell without permission. Gabi needs the L.O.L.’s help to find Chester before the Band of Bigs (protecting and supporting the needs of—you guessed it—oldest siblings) find out that Chester is missing.
This hilarious young middle grade graphic novel combines humor, action, friendship, school, pets—and of course, sibling relationships. It is perfect for newly independent readers and fans of Babymouse, Lunch Lady, and the Bad Guys.
About the Author: Casey Lyall lives in Southwestern Ontario where she also works at her local library (and waits for Management to discover they’re actually paying her to have fun.) When she’s not writing, Casey loves to bake, doodle, and learn extremely groan-worthy jokes to tell her friends. Casey is the author of humorous books for kids such as the Howard Wallace, P.I. series, Gnome is Where Your Heart Is, and A Spoonful of Frogs (illustrated by Vera Brosgol.) Her upcoming titles include Waking the Dead and Other Fun Activities (Greenwillow Books, 2024) and Vampire Jam Sandwich (Tundra Books, 2024 - illustrated by Nici Gregory.)
About the Illustrator: Sara Faber is a Berlin-based comic artist and illustrator. Her work is inspired by the simple moments of everyday life, expressive characters and captivating stories (and magic too!). Her favorite themes are slice of life, coming of age, friendship, romance and fantasy. She is currently working on her second graphic novel “The Band of Bigs”, written by Casey Lyall and published by Greenwillow Books.When she is not working, she loves drawing in her sketchbook, working on personal comics, reading and going to coffee shops.
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Kisses are Invisible, by Dee Romito, illustrated by Jen White (Tilbury Press), out on June 17. Enter to win a copy via the Rafflecopter below.
About the Book: In a world that is both full of wonder and sometimes scary, Theo learns that the things we can most count on in life are often invisible. At his mother’s prompting, Theo goes on a search for all the invisibles he can find: Wind! Music! Warmth! Until he can’t find another one anywhere. But as Mom tucks him in with snuggles and kisses, he identifies a couple more—including the most important invisible of all. A comforting, tender tale that shows young readers that the love of family is something to count on.
About the Author: Dee Romito is an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction books for young readers from picture books to middle grade. Her curious son sparked the idea for Kisses are Invisible when he asked, “Mommy, what does invisible mean?” Dee has since discovered that some of her favorite invisibles are giggles with friends and the smell of homemade pumpkin pie. She lives with her family and snuggly cats in her hometown of Buffalo, New York. You can visit her website at deeromito.com.
About the Illustrator: Heavily influenced by her creative mom who was an elementary school teacher, Jen White grew up loving art and picture books. Today, Jennifer is a designer, creative director, author and illustrator. Fun facts, she designs for the San Diego Air & Space Museum, she has lived in a friendly haunted house, she’s lived in London (plenty of ghosts there!) and NYC, but most of all loves to spend time with her kiddos at the beach in San Diego which is now home.
The Rule of 3 in Picture Books: When, Why, and How to Use It
Ways to Make The Reader Turn the Page
Oct. 4, 2025 Picture Book Summit Early Bird registration is openPicture Book Summit is a world-class online conference for picture book writers and illustrators. With keynotes and workshops from bestselling, award-winning authors and illustrators, plus other learning and networking opportunities for aspiring picture book authors and illustrators around the globe, all from the comfort of home, this is the one conference for kidlit creators you don’t want to miss!
July 15, 7 -8:15 p.m. MG and YA Query Critiques with Author-Agent Eric Smith Author and agent Eric Smith of Neighborhood Literary will do on-the-spot query critiques for lucky registrants who submit their 1 page queries a week in advance--time permitting, of course. We'll have time for Q & A as well. The webinar will be recorded, and a replay will be available for 30 days after the live event. ($30/ $15 for SCBWI members)
What are Some Chapter Book Trends?
Marketing & Creating a Platform
Thank you for sharing the article on Unbound & Albert Whitman. Such a nightmare! My heart goes out to all the affected authors.
ReplyDeleteI have The League of Littles on hold at my library - excited to read it!
ReplyDeleteBoth of these books are going to be fun to read. I'm going to make sure I have them on my Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these books sound exciting! My 6 grandkids would love them!
ReplyDeleteAs a big fan of her Gnome is Where Your Heart Is, I can’t wait to read Casey Lyall’s first graphic novel. And that picture book sounds like a winner to read at bedtime with littles and not so littles.
ReplyDeleteThese look like great books for my 2nd graders!
ReplyDeleteThese books look great!
ReplyDeleteLove the links today. The Picture Book articles were both great. Thanks.
ReplyDelete