The Weekly 411 (12/12/26)
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| © Harvey Walls |
Dec. 12, 2026 vol. 50
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 Harvey Walls.
Publishing News
The Publishing Workshops Taking a Red Pen to AI
Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, The ABCs of Lowriding, by Ricardo Cortez, illustrated by Isaac Herrera (2023). Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Author: Ricardo Cortez is a San José native and cultural storyteller whose work spotlights overlooked histories and subcultures of his community. Through public art, educational workshops, and community-driven projects, he celebrates the people and practices that shape the spirit of San José. The ABCs of Lowriding is his debut book and a love letter to the lowrider culture he was raised around.
About the Illustrator: Isaac Herrera is a Mexico-based professional illustrator and graphic designer who—despite working mostly digitally—creates art with a distinctive mid-20th-century feel. Part artist, part historian, he specializes in recreating art styles from the 1930s to the 1960s with anything from cartoons to pin-ups, occasionally detouring into the macabre and often with an impish sense of humor.
Chapter Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the chapter book, Katie Crumble and the Case of the Missing Underwear, by Oksanna Crawley, illustrated by Lydia Ramsey (Plumleaf Press). Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: Spunky 9-year-old Katie embarks on a quest. She wants to solve the mystery of her little cousin’s missing Pickles the Destroyer underwear. Kids at school tease her, so she’s going solo. Who needs friends anyway when she has her dog, Aggie McDoogall, as her partner in snooping? Will Katie find the missing underwear? Will her never-give-up attitude gain her the respect and friendship she doesn’t know she needs? Themes: Friendship, bullying, mystery, humour; Ages: 5-10
About the Author: Oksanna is the author of the chapter book, Katie Crumble and the Case of the Missing Underwear, published May 2025 by Plumleaf Press. It is the first in a series. She is the co-author/illustrator of the picture book, Pirate Glitterbeard, published by Rebel Mountain Press. Oksanna has also written and illustrated over 30 early readers for the education market - the Super Hammy Series. She is a former radio journalist and teacher.
About the Illustrator: Lydia Ramsey is a visual development artist and illustrator and holds a BA in Animation from Sheridan College (Oakville, Ontario). She combines her passion for visual storytelling with a keen eye for detail, creating illustrations that invite viewers into enchanting worlds.
Registration for 12x12 Picture Book Writing Challenge Opens Jan. 9
Rate Your Story 2026 Membership is NOW open! This limited Membership (we have a cap sowe can better attend our Members) includes 15 PB or CB Manuscript Ratings with Feedback, 11 Crafty Webinars and replays (which remain available during the membership), First 100 Words Manuscript Review by Lynne Marie, lots of crafty tips and information, guest gurus, optional editor and agent First Pages AND Professional Series and MORE! Those who sign up prior to 12/31/25 will be able to submit First Pages for review and consideration to Lynne Marie, Acquiring Editor at The Little Press at a special January event.
Feb. 12 - Mar 5 Intro to Novels in Verse: Drafting and Deepening Your Prose A 4-week online course. Novels in verse are packed with emotion, alongside a tight pace and deeply resonating character arcs. Join verse novelists Meg Eden Kuyatt, Laura Shovan, and Hannah Sawyerr for this multi-week introductory course with a focus on how characters and narratives are formed. Live presentations at 7pm – 8pm Eastern on Thursdays (February 12 19, 26, March 5); Weekly writing exercises; Workshop up to three poems with your peers in small groups. All presentations will be recorded. ($399)
Marketing & Creating a Platform
11 Ideas for Promoting Sequels of Later-Series Books
Authors: Sign up for World Read Aloud Day 2026 (Feb. 4)
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