The Weekly 411 (1/16/26)
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| © Katrina Snyder |
Jan. 16, 2026 vol. 3
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 Katrina Snyder.
Publishing News
Print Book Sales Rose Slightly in 2025
Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Just Like Tina, by Ebony Lynn Mudd, illustrated by Maruga Koops (Penguin Workshop), out on Jan. 27. Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: Shay comes from a Tina Turner–loving family! And when a local festival invites kids to perform Tina’s hits, Shay is ready to shine! Shay wants every move, every outfit, and every hair flip to be just like her idol, Tina Turner. But as Shay starts telling her friends how to dress, move, andperfectly perform, the fun begins to fade. With the kids’ performance in trouble, Granny walks Shay through the festival, sharing stories of who Tina really was off the stage. Tina was generous. Tina was kind. And Tina was always true to herself.
Inspired by all the good Tina put into the world, Shay learns that honoring her idol isn’t about getting everything just right. It’s about letting herself, her friends, and even her little brother be unapologetically themselves.
About the Author: Ebony Lynn Mudd is a storyteller and creative writing instructor whose work centers historically underrepresented kids and celebrates the rich diversity within the Black community. Her stories are a safe space for every child who opens her books, rooted in joy, truth, and stories that challenge harmful stereotypes. Ebony is the author of Just Like Tina, Junior Takes a Leap, Swim Like Them, and more. As a debut author, she has been featured on The Jennifer Hudson Show and in People Magazine. Ebony lives (and dances) in North Carolina and is always ready for the next adventure that leads to a new story or classroom.
About the Illustrator: Maruga Koops (she/her) is a self-taught illustrator from the Netherlands. Maruga loves to draw diverse characters and bring them to life with color and texture. She has a passion for creating illustrations that real children can identify with, relate to, and recognize themselves in, representation she did not have growing up but that she hopes to make a reality for current and future children. She lives with her husband and two daughters.
Picture Book Giveaway
We are pleased to host a giveaway of the picture book, Monkey's Sweet Surprise: A Lunar Year Mix Up by Patricia Tanumihardja, illustrated by Bonnie Lui (Picnic Heist Publishing). Enter to win a copy via the widget below.
About the Book: Monkey’s Sweet Surprise: A Lunar New Year Mix-Up whisks readers into the bustling preparations for the Jade Empress’s grand banquet, where a lively cast of zodiac animals—including Mouse Deer from the Malay zodiac and Cat from the Vietnamese and Gurung zodiacs—are hard at work on their favorite celebratory dishes. Determined to redeem himself after last year’s kooky kitchen catastrophe, Monkey vows to make the Empress’s favorite treat: golden, melt-in-your-mouth pineapple tarts. But as he dashes between chopping, stirring, and mixing, he can’t help lending a hand to friends in need. Soon, Monkey discovers that the sweetest surprises aren’t always the ones you bake—they’re the friendships you grow along the way.
About the Author: Patricia (Pat) Tanumihardja grew up a third culture kid, forever curious about the world around her and her place in it. Born in Jakarta and raised in Singapore, her Indonesian Chinese parents encouraged her appetites for both delicious foods and good books. As a writer, Pat’s work explores food, culture, and self. Her fun, heartwarming stories often echo her lived experiences buoyed by universal themes. Her debut children's book Ramen for Everyone was a JLG Gold Selection, and was soon followed by Jimmy’s Shoes and The Sugar Plum Bakers. Today, Pat writes both children’s books and cookbooks from her home in Northern Virginia where she lives with her husband and son. Don’t be shy to hit her up for some favorite recipes!
About the Illustrator: Bonnie Lui is an illustrator and storyteller whose work spans books, games, and television. She is always looking for ways to create fun in all forms of media for everyone to enjoy. Her debut picture book, ABC of Feelings, showcases her ability to connect with young readers through engaging illustrations. In addition to her publishing work, Bonnie has contributed as a background painter for studios such as DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Animation, with credits including Tiny Toons Looniversity. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys playing the ukulele and piano, and is an avid cat enthusiast. Bonnie resides in Los Angeles, California.
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Jan. 19, 3 p.m. CST/ 4 p.m. EST Understand how Publishers Think So You Can Position Your Work to Stand Out If you've ever wondered why some books get acquired while others don’t…
How editors evaluate whether a manuscript fits their list… What actually happens after the “yes”…this workshop will give you a rare, candid look inside an independent children’s publishing house — directly from a working publisher. In this eye-opening session, publisher Janet Bruins (Picnic Heist) will pull back the curtain on how an indie press operates, how lists are shaped, and how decisions are made — so you can better understand where your work fits in the market and how to submit with confidence.
Plus — we’ll have time for Q&A so you can get answers to your most pressing questions.Attendees will receive a special above-the-slush submission window to Picnic Heist Publishing — available only to workshop participants.
Conferences, Workshops & Retreats
a 30-minute presentation from industry experts, 15 minutes for live Q&A, and 15-minute breaks between sessions for quick recharges
We also have literary agents in attendance that registered participants can book a live, 10-minute pitch session with. (online, $175)
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Very inspiring. I have belted out a couple Tina songs as well. Cute bugs!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read more about Tina!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win fun reading time.
ReplyDelete